Everyday we have people looking at our Essential oils and wondering what the uses are, so here is a brief summary on history and use.

Essential oils date back to 3500 BC, the Egyptians were the first to use essential oils. Most of what we know about essential oils has been passed down through thousands of years of use, and more recently there has been some scientific studies providing evidence of certain benefits.

Essential oils are derived from many parts of a plant such as bark, leaves, stems, rind of fruit, and flowers/blossoms.

Even though essential oils come from nature they should not be overused and should be used appropriately. It is also important to purchase your essential oils from a trusted brand, and store them in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Essential oils are used in household cleaning products, natural medicine, personal beauty care, and aromatherapy. These oils can be diluted in a carrier oil and used topically or used in diffusers. They should never be applied directly to skin unless mixed with a carrier oil such as almond oil or jojoba oil. This wellness article will focus on diffuser use of essential oils for adults only. Here is the remainder of the list that we posted in April:

Lemongrass can promote awareness, purification, and inspire a sense of clarity and relaxation.

Marjoram promotes peace and sleep, and can aid in anxiety, stress relief, fatigue, and depression.

Orange can be uplifting and calming and gives a sense of peace, harmony, and creativity.

Oregano can strengthen one’s feeling of security.

Patchouli can be sedating, calming, and relaxing, allowing to reduce anxiety and depression. It can influence physical energy thus decreasing fatigue.

Peppermint has purifying and cooling property and may help create a focused atmosphere that can inspire, enhance mood, sharpen focus, and stimulate the mind.

Rose can stimulate and elevate the mind, creating a sense of well-being. It can encourage feelings of positive self reflection and uplifting feelings.

Rosemary enhances mental focus and opens the conscious mind. It can create an energized environment and promote a sense of clarity. It may help relieve headaches and migraines.

Sandalwood can be uplifting and calming, and it harmonizes and balances the emotions.

Spearmint can be uplifting and calming. It may help one feel balanced and relieve mental strain and fatigue .

Tangerine can be sedating and calming and create a happy contented mindset.

Tea Tree promotes cleansing and purity to the mind and body.

Thyme can be uplifting, aid in concentration, and help relieve depression. It may help energize in times of physical weakness and stress and bring a sense of purpose.

Vetiver creates an uplifting environment that may help relieve stress and help people recover from emotional trauma and shock. It may help induce restful sleep.

Wintergreen can be stimulating and invigorating. It may influence, elevate, open, and increase awareness.

Ylang Ylang has a calming and relaxing aroma that may help alleviate anger and soothe headaches and nausea.

Sources: Live strong, Aroma Web, Organic Aromas, loving Essential oils, and Modern Essentials

About Shima: Shima graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BS in Microbiology in 1997 and worked at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with the Infectious Disease Department on clinical trials for over 4 years. She then pursued a career change and graduated with her Doctorate degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2007. During her years enrolled in pharmacy school she worked part-time at St. Louis University, where she helped design a laboratory protocol for the BCG Vaccine Study, which received full funding in 2011.

Shima joined Sinks and Medley Pharmacy in September of 2014 as a pharmacist. She continually strives to focus on improving outcomes and raising the quality of life for patients with all types of medical ailments and conditions.

Everyday we have people looking at our Essential oils and wondering what the uses are, so here is a brief summary on history and use.

Essential oils date back to 3500 BC, the Egyptians were the first to use essential oils. Most of what we know about essential oils has been passed down through thousands of years of use, and more recently there has been some scientific studies providing evidence of certain benefits.

Essential oils are derived from many parts of a plant such as bark, leaves, stems, rind of fruit, and flowers/blossoms.

Even though essential oils come from nature they should not be overused and should be used appropriately. It is also important to purchase your essential oils from a trusted brand, and store them in a cool, dark, and dry place.

Essential oils are used in household cleaning products, natural medicine, personal beauty care, and aromatherapy. These oils can be diluted in a carrier oil and used topically or used in diffusers. They should never be applied directly to skin unless mixed with a carrier oil such as almond oil or jojoba oil. This wellness article will focus on diffuser use of essential oils for adults only.

Anise helps to ease respiratory issues and colds.

Basil helps to open the mind and increase clarity of though. It can be calming and refreshing.

Bergamot can be up lifting and refreshing, it helps relieve anxiety, depression, stress, and tension.

Cedarwood is calming and helps decrease stress and anxiety. It can create a relaxing and comforting atmosphere.

Chamomile is calming, relaxing, and is used to soothe and clear the mind. It can decrease depression, insomnia, and stress. It is used to create an atmosphere of peace and patience.

Clove may improve memory and influence healing. It can create a feeling of protection and courage.

Cinnamon is used as a comforting aroma, it may help decrease depression.

Cypress may create a feeling of security and grounding and help ease the feeling of loss. It can be used to invite a peaceful or spiritual feeling.

Eucalyptus has a calming, invigorating, and uplifting sent that can promote relaxation, clear the mind, invigorate and soothe the sense, and improve respiratory conditions and migraines.

Frankincense has an uplifting aroma that creates a safe and comforting environment. It may improve symptoms of headaches and migraines, and can relieve stress, promote calmness, improve respiratory conditions, and enhance focus.

Geranium may help ease nervous tension and the stress that balances the emotions, lift the spirit, and foster pace, well-being, and hope. It may help to release negative memories and take a person back to peaceful joyful moments.

Ginger the aroma may help influence physical energy, love, and courage.

Grapefruit may increase feelings of joy, satisfaction, and playfulness. It has an uplifting aroma that may relieve anxiety.

Jasmin may ease depression, tension and stress. It is uplifting to negative emotions and helps promote inspiration and relationships.

Lavender may improve symptoms of headaches and migraines. It can calm anxiety, promote sleep, consciousness, health, love, peace, and nurture creativity.

Lemon can be invigorating, enhancing, and warming. It can promote health, healing, physical energy, and purification. It may help headaches and can be a quick mood enhancer.

More scents will be featured next month.

Sources: Live strong, Aroma Web, Organic Aromas, loving Essential oils, and Modern Essentials

About Shima: Shima graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BS in Microbiology in 1997 and worked at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with the Infectious Disease Department on clinical trials for over 4 years. She then pursued a career change and graduated with her Doctorate degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2007. During her years enrolled in pharmacy school she worked part-time at St. Louis University, where she helped design a laboratory protocol for the BCG Vaccine Study, which received full funding in 2011.

Shima joined Sinks and Medley Pharmacy in September of 2014 as a pharmacist. She continually strives to focus on improving outcomes and raising the quality of life for patients with all types of medical ailments and conditions.

The CDC reports “1/3 of U.S. adults are getting less then the recommended amount of sleep.” Improving your sleep hygiene can help you get a better nights sleep.

1. Make your room really dark, even a tiny amount of light can interfere with melatonin production, (melatonin is a hormone your brain produces to help with sleep), that includes electronic devices or light from your bedroom window.

2. Keep your bedroom cooler, between 60 – 68 degrees F.

3. Make your room as quiet as possible. Use ear plugs if things are noisy or use a fan for white noise.

4. Get a good quality mattress and pillow.

5. Stick to a sleep schedule. Wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps your body establish an effective rhythm.

6. Avoid electronic devices 2 hours before bedtime. Stop using your cell phone as an alarm and replace it with a powered alarm clock. Charge your phone in another room.

7. Read for 15 minutes before bed. Pick up a book you would not normally read. For example if you normally read non-fiction try reading a fiction book.

8. Do not go to bed hungry or stuffed. Avoid stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine. Also avoid alcohol, it can disrupt sleep later in the night. Limit fluids after 8 pm to reduce time getting up to go to the bathroom.

9. Blue and Red light. Blue lights cause wakefulness like midday sunshine or light from electronics. Red lights do not impair sleep, like the warm red glow from a fireplace.

10. Establish a sleep ritual. For example; turn off electronics a few hours before bed and drink some chamomile tea.

11. Avoid naps, but if you have to take a nap in the day, limit it to 30 minutes and avoid taking them later in the day.

12. First thing upon waking, try to get some sunlight or use a daylight lamp and take vitamin D3 daily in the morning. Vitamin D is tied into your wakefulness patterns.

13. Do not exercise a few hours before bedtime.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Scrawny to Brawny, CDC, and Web MD

About Shima: Shima graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BS in Microbiology in 1997 and worked at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with the Infectious Disease Department on clinical trials for over 4 years. She then pursued a career change and graduated with her Doctorate degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy in 2007. During her years enrolled in pharmacy school she worked part-time at St. Louis University, where she helped design a laboratory protocol for the BCG Vaccine Study, which received full funding in 2011.

Shima joined Sinks and Medley Pharmacy in September of 2014 as a pharmacist. She continually strives to focus on improving outcomes and raising the quality of life for patients with all types of medical ailments and conditions.