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What could be simpler or lovelier than a festive Christmas inspired by Mother Nature herself? Revive your pioneering spirit by tapping into the landscape’s vivid colors, rich textures and natural fragrances to beautify your holiday home this year!

Shockingly inexpensive, nature’s holiday decor is also fun to find and customize. Pack a picnic lunch and a thermos of hot cider, and head for the countryside!

Most of what you need is right there on any country road — ivies trailing along the roadside, thistle-heads in open fields, bright red spice-berries and rosehips in the understory of most woodlands. Take the kids along and give each of them a disposable camera to record your memory-making experiences

1. Ivy-and-grapevine wreath
Simply tuck tendrils of sweet green English Ivy in and around a wreath of foraged grapevine, twisted into a round, brown wreath shape. (Ivy works wonderfully well on a raffia or straw wreath as well!) For an elegant touch, entwine a length of gold or magenta gossamer ribbon around the wreath, tie a contrasting loop of ribbon at the top, and hang anywhere!

2. Cinnamon-apple garland
Core and slice foraged windfall apples to form apple rounds, sprinkle with cinnamon and dry them on a cookie tray in a slow, 170-degree oven until they’re leathery by not crisp. Use a pencil to drill a little hole at the top of each apple slice, then continue drying. Use twine or raffia to string the dried delectables into a garland to spice up any room!

3. Pine-cone glitterati
Foraged pine-cones of any kind, a little bowl of glitter and a bit of florists’ wire or even recycled ornament hooks are all you need. Put unopened cones on an aluminum tray in a 170-degree oven for a few minutes to open them up. Give each dry cone a quick spray with artists’ adhesive, or dab on regular white glue, then dip the sticky cone into the glitter. A group of these look gorgeous in an old wooden salad bowl, atop a wooden tabletop that strewn with a few evergreen boughs and a handful of bright red foraged rosehips. Or use the wire or hooks and hang them on the tree, where tree lights will have the glitterati shimmering!

4. Willow wands and cobalt
Contemporary elegant drama for almost nothing! Clip and arrange a “bouquet” of wispy green and yellow willow wands in a plain, clear vase. Toss in a handful of small, smooth inexpensive cobalt stones to cover the vase base, then hang a few cobalt blue glass ornaments from the willow branches.

5. Dried basket of bounty
Fill a tall-handled reed or twig basket with stunning lengths of golden yarrow and dried golden wheat, accented with dried poppy heads and milkweed pods. For fragrance, tuck in a spray of silver garden sage or field-dried Sweet Annie. Sprinkle generously with crimson spice berries and tie a sprig of holly to the handle.

6. Colonial apple basket
What could be simpler and more natural than an old basket filled with fragrant balsam and fir boughs, topped with shiny red, golden and green fresh apples? Tie a wide red ribbon to the handle and tuck in a strand of white cool-touch twinkle lights for a soft, traditional holiday glow on a sideboard or dining room table. Or alternate the apples with pears, oranges, lemons and pomegranates!

With Mother Nature as your one-stop shopping guide, you can hang the holly and trim the tree with the richest palette of colors, textures and fragrances imaginable … so why shop anywhere else?

Kate Sheridan is a Michigan freelance writer, photographer and homesteader whose writings on the fun and foibles of country living may be found at http://www.gardenandhearth.com/RuralLiving.htm.

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Looking for that perfect skin product? One that will keep your skin looking great, smells great, is appealing to apply, has actual ‘therapeutic’ effects, and doesn’t break the bank? Look no further than aromatherapy. Creating a wonderful blend just for your skin type with the magic of potent natural botanicals is fun and rewarding in more ways than one. Essential oils are widely used in natural medicine, and some are well-known for their skin rejuvenating effects.

While some of the most highly regarded therapeutic grade oils may seem expensive at first, they are effective in such small concentrations as to really make them worthwhile. And their efficacy is well-known; that’s why so many laboratory-made preparations use components of essential oils in their formulas. With a one or two ounce bottle to mix in, and an eye dropper, you can easily mix your own blend with the aroma and actions you desire most.

There are a few essential oils and carriers that are highly regarded in natural beauty and skin care. With these, and perhaps one or two extra ingredients, you can make effective (and very pleasant smelling) recipes for a wide variety of skin conditions.

The short list of essential oils for skin care - Helichrysum (also known as Everlasting) is one of the strongest anti-inflammatory oils known in aromatherapy. It is also very high in regenerative ketones; compounds which stimulate the regeneration of skin cells. Rosemary Verbenone serves a similar function, being thought to enhance metabolic functioning in the dermis layer, increasing circulation and the elimination of waste products. Lavender has properties similar to Helichrysum, with a wonderful, relaxing aroma; it can bring synergy to a combination of oils and is thought to keep the skin in a balanced, healthy condition. Carrot Seed essential oil is also regenerating, bringing life to tired, pallid skin. Palmarosa essential oil can be included for it’s pleasing aroma and anti-septic effects; Niaouli is also recommended for the same reasons, along with it’s skin-firming properties.

This is only a few of the many essential oils included in skin formulas, though these are considered among the most important for their broad range of effects. Almost any essential oil can be added to a blend in balanced quantities. In many cases, oils are added as much for their lovely aroma as their direct therapeutic benefits to skin tissue. Many aromatherapists, and natural health professionals for that matter, consider the overall mental and emotional condition to be of primary importance in creating an appearance of fitness and beauty. Many citrus and floral oils are used for this reason - Neroli, distilled from the flowers of the bitter orange tree, is an often used example. Others are Jasmine, Sandalwood (very popular in Men’s skin care), Geranium and Ylang Ylang.

Essential oils, be they for direct effects on skin metabolism, or for the overall state of wellness of the user, will be diluted in a carrier oil, sometimes known as a base oil. It is important to note that diluting the oils will often actually enhance their effects; essential oils are often too strong to be used directly, and many studies have shown increased efficacy in dilutions down to 1% or less of the total formula. The carrier oils serve several other functions as well; they “carry” the essential oils into the skin, increasing their total absorption. They also nourish the middle and lower layers of the skin with essential fatty acids or EFA’s - compounds now considered critical to the health of all living tissues. Further, some carrier oils have vitamin analogs which assist in skin regeneration and repair.

A few of the most important carrier oils include the following: Rosehip Seed Oil is highly regarded for it’s regenerating effects for skin which has been over-exposed to the sun or has other damage. It includes a variety of Vitamin A which acts to increase cellular turnover, similar to Retin-A without the over-drying side effects. Numerous scientific studies have validated this oil’s positive effects on damaged or prematurely aged skin. Next is Evening Primrose Oil, which has a significant quantities of gamma-linolenic acid, an important essential fatty acid. Evening Primrose oil has been used to support skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, and may help premature skin aging. Finally, Hazelnut oil is possibly the most commonly used base oil for skin care; it is gentle, has little aroma, and is suitable for all skin types. Often, small amounts of Rosehip seed and/or Evening Primrose oil will be included in a blend, with Hazelnut oil comprising the majority of the carrier mixture.

Here are several blends categorized by skin type to get you started. For normal skin, used at any time: In each ounce of Hazelnut Oil, add 15 drops Thyme Linalool, 15 drops Rosemary Verbenone, 15 drops Neroli, and 15 drops Spike Lavender; this blend can work well for acne with it’s antiseptic properties, but is an excellent tonic for all skin types.

If your skin has been chemically damaged, is overly-sensitive, or otherwise ‘weakened’ with broken capillaries, try this mixture, applying frequently: For each ounce of base oil, use three parts Hazelnut, one part Rosehip Seed, and one part Evening Primrose. Add the following essential oils: fifteen drops Moroccan Chamomile, fifteen drops Helichrysum, fifteen drops true Lavender, and fifteen drops Roman Chamomile. The Helichrysum, Lavender and Rosehip seed will enhance the skin’s own natural metabolism, and the addition of the Chamomiles will greatly reduce inflammation that is found with almost all damage and/or aging.

If your skin is prone to acne, or has over-active sebaceous glands, the following blend can be of great assistance. It contains regenerative, antiseptic, and cleansing oils. Simply use Hazelnut as the base, and to each ounce include fifteen drops of Green Myrtle or Inula graveolens, fifteen drops Eucalyptus dives (because of the ketones in this oil, it should not be used if pregnant - or under 10 years of age - but is otherwise considered safe), fifteen drops Spike Lavender, and fifteen drops Rosemary verbenone.

If your skin has no particular ‘condition’, but appears tired, lifeless, pallid, or ‘worn out’, try mixing one-fifth ounce of Rosehip Seed and four-fifths ounce Hazelnut oil. Then add 15 drops each of Carrot Seed essential oil (also known as Queen Anne’s Lace or Wild Carrot), Lemon verbena (which helps the skin detoxify), Niaouli (gently tightening the skin), and Rosemary verbenone - this creates an excellent restorative blend. For aging skin needing firming that can be used around the eyes - try this more gentle variety: Mix in five ounces of Hazelnut oil and one ounce of Rosehip seed oil, add fifteen drops of each of Myrtle essential oil (green), Cistus or Rock Rose and Rosemary.

So there are a few tried-and-true aromatherapy skin care blends to use in your natural beauty regime. You can easily mix and match the oils described to create your own blend, and add any oils you really like the aroma of (be aware that a FEW essential oils are VERY strong, and should not be used on the skin - the more common of these include Cinnamon, Clove, Oregano, and Red Thyme - consult with a knowledgeable practitioner if you are unsure about the safety of any oil). A word about purchasing oils for your blends - do NOT use anything labeled as a ‘fragrance oil’ - these are synthetic reproductions of essential oils that will likely cause an allergic reaction.

DO seek out a reputable source. And oils, like wine, do vary greatly from maker to maker. A higher price can mean a significantly nicer oil (though not always) - one that is sweeter, or more well-rounded - only a few oils should smell ‘medicinal’ - Spike Lavender is a little ‘camphorus’ in general - but a good Rosemary verbenone should have a very appealing scent . Despite the initial outlay, you are more likely to continue to use a blend that you really like the aroma of, and that has therapeutic effects. Though once you find the oils you adore, you’re more than likely to continue the practice of making your own blends for some time to come.

This article has been written by Misty Cech, ND, a degreed naturopath with a professional practice developing natural wellness for individuals around the country. She strongly supports the use of natural botanicals whenever possible when making health and beauty choices. She is the owner of the Ananada Apothecary - providing vibrational medicine infomation and supplies such as organic essential oils and Bach flower essences and remedies.

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Aromatherapy is the use of oils extracted from various, primarily fragrant, plants to aid in the relief of a range of physical or mental discomforts or illnesses. These oils, commonly referred to as “essential oils” are also used to enhance or encourage positive responses in the user. These oils may be used by direct application or by inhaling the aromas, hence the name “aromatherapy”. The inhaled aromas can be dispersed by candles prepared with the essential oils, by applying the oil to some object, such as a handkerchief or pillowcase, by spraying a mix of the essential oil and water into the air, or by means of a “diffuser”. A diffuser is a device gnenerally available from essential oil providers which uses heat to disperse molecules of the chosen essential oil into the air.

Although long used in other parts of the world, such as the East and Middle East, aromatherapy is essentially new to Europe and the United States. In the last few years, in addition to an increase in the numbers of aromatherapy practitioners, a broad interest and corresponding retail market in aromatherapy, essential oils, and related items such as candles, perfumes, and diffusers has sprung up. It is now very easy for someone knowing little or nothing about aromatherapy to buy the necessary supplies and reap the benefits of aromatherapy.

EFFECTS OF ESSENTIAL OILS AND AROMATHERAPY

Overall, the effects may be divided into two basic groups. Some essential oils have actual physical effects. For example, eucalyptus oil can be inhaled to help clear sinuses and the respiratory tract. This would obviously relieve some symptoms of an upper respiratory infection (URI). Some oils may be used topically (directly on the skin, where they would usually be absorbed by the body, or on a wound) to possibly relieve swelling or fight certain infections.

Secondly, aromatherapy, usually thru the inhaling of the molecules of the essential oil, can affect moods and emotions. Since feelings and emotions are more and more appearing to be hard-wired to the health of the body, it is beginning to become apparent that improvements in such areas as moods can affect the actual health condition of the body in addition to simply making the individual feel happier, or more energetic, or more alert. Studies have shown, for example, that the status of someone’s emotional state can affect the ability of their immune system to fight off infection.

ESSENTIAL OILS IN OTHER PRODUCTS

Essential oils can be used in other products such as perfumes, lotions, cleansers and other cosmetics and personal care items. Essential oils are even used in such common items as household cleaners and toothpaste. Many people even use essential oils with other elements to create their own products. One company even offers a Health, Home and Beauty Kit so that those interested in aromatherapy can use essential oils to “…create hundreds of blends for everything from women’s concerns to cleaning your bathroom tiles.”

SCIENTIFIC STUDY TENDS TO SUPPORT AROMATHERAPY

Being an alternative form of healthcare, aromatherapy was, until recently, looked down on by the traditional medical community. However, with the increasing tide of evidence of the importance of the mind-body connection in health, and with an increasing volume of empirical and anecdotal evidence, the scientific community has begun to accept aromatherapy and the affect of essential oils on health…at least to some extent.

In the last few years, researchers at the Kurume University School of Medicine in Japan, the University of Miami School of Medicine, the University of Alaska, and the University of Pittsburgh, to name a few, have shown positive results in subjects through the use of aromatherapy. Subjects have experienced improved mental and physical functions after the use of essential oils. Subjective measurements have indicated positive experiences in participants, while objective measurements, such as electroencephalograms (EEG) have borne out these results as well.

Participants have used essential oils to improve their immune systems, improve athletic ability, increase alertness, ease depression, be more effective students, and to quit smoking.

PRECAUTIONS BEFORE USING ESSENTIAL OILS

While essential oils are natural products and may be inhaled directly with no harm, you should always be careful to merely inhale the aroma rising from the container, much as you would inhale the scent of a cologne or perfume. Do not place essential oils directly into nasal passages. Using a diffuser, candle, or item with the oil on it to release the molecules are the most common ways of experiencing the actual aroma.

Essential oils are stronger than what would be experienced when sniffing a rose, for example, so it is best to ease into their use. Essential oils usually come in small vials or bottles and are used a drop or two at a time. Products from various suppliers may have different concentrations, so the product from A may only need a drop while that from B needs two drops.

Take time off. Prolonged contact with the oils can result in allergic reactions in some cases or even mild toxic reactions. Always follow your distributor’s recommendations and make sure you have a distributor who can and will give warnings and recommendations.

If using a product claiming to be an aromatherapy product by virtue of its ingredients, always check to make sure that it is actually using essential oils. While the smell which reminds us of the fragrant flower or plant it copies might produce positive feelings in most of us, the genuine essential oil itself will be more effective.

Unless you are under the guidance of a skilled, experienced aromatherapist, you should never ingest essential oils. Children and pregnant women should never ingest essential oils.

Lastly, while essential oils used in topical applications or inhaled during aromatherapy can certainly produce beneficial results, they should never be used in place of professional medical treatment.

The author is retired from the Army after 21 years of service. He has worked as an accountant, purchasing agent, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, instructor and long-haul, over-the-road truck driver. He has been a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He has been interested in and has been studying health, fitness and natural health products since the early 70’s. You may visit his herbal website at http://eherbsstore.com, or http://mynsp.com/herb_health Don’t forget to take the Free Health Analysis while there.

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