Cassia Essential Oil: Info & Uses

OIL SPOTLIGHT: Cassia essential oil!

If you like the scent of Cinnamon, you'll LOVE Cassia essential oil! Cassia has historically been used medicinally and in culinary applications in a similar way as cinnamon. It is also called Chinese Cinnamon.

Cassia essential oil is a physical and emotional stimulant. It is known for its anti-diarrhea, antidepressant, analgesic, antimicrobial, circulatory, and carminative properties. Care should be used in any topical applications as it can be highly irritating - dilute very well.

Cassia essential oil blends well with Roman Chamomile, Frankincense, Ginger, Rosemary, Geranium, Coriander and Citrus Oils - great for diffusing blends! Cassia essential oil is also a wonderful addition to DIY cleaning recipes due to its antimicrobial qualities.

BONUS FACT: Many US citizens have never used REAL cinnamon in baking or eaten it in baked goods - the spice marketed as common cinnamon in the US is actually cassia (unless otherwise specified). Now you know!

Get Cassia essential oil here:
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Brain Drain and Essential Oils

QUICK TIP: Has your brain given up the fight?

Whether you've been studying for an important exam or just been taxed in the day-to-day, it's time to but out one of these punchy Intellectual Fatigue Blend from The Fragrant Mind!

Black Pepper essential oil has historically been used for exhaustion, warming (physically and emotionally), stimulating and uplifting, and when combined with other "pick-me-up" oils like Peppermint, Rosemary, and Basil can produce quite the powerful blend!

Intellectual Fatigue Blend 1
-14 drops Ginger essential oil
-15 drops Black Pepper essential oil
-1 drop Basil essential oil

Intellectual Fatigue Blend 2
-15 drops Rosemary essential oil
-10 drops Black Pepper essential oil
-5 drops Peppermint essential oil

Mix up the blend and add a few drops per the diffuser manufacturer's instructions to diffuse!

Haven't added Black Pepper to your collection yet? Try some today!
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DIY Winter Skin Serum

Winter can wreak HAVOC on skin. If your skin is extra-sensitive and inflamed from all the winter weather, try this facial oil from The Aromatherapy Companion:

-5 drops Geranium essential oil
-2 drops Rose essential oil
-5 drops Frankincense essential oil
-1 oz Sweet Almond Oil

Combine all ingredients in a dark glass bottle and shake to mix. To use, after cleansing and toning, put a few drops in the palms of your hands and massage lightly over your entire face.

Love this blend? Get the book here:
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Migraines and Essential Oils

QUICK TIP: Monday Migraines

If you're out of Relief blend, try the following essential oils on a compress or rubbed on the base of the skull and neck and/or temples:

-Roman Chamomile
-Lavender
-Marjoram
-Peppermint
-Rosemary

Shop online for quality essential oils, diffusers, and more!
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Diffusing with Juniper Berry

I LOVE diffusing Juniper Berry essential oil! It has a very pleasant, fresh evergreen smell that is almost smoky in small amounts of a blend.

Try this uplifting morning diffuser blend to get your week started off right:

-3 drops Tangerine essential oil
-2 drops Lime essential oil
-1 drop Coriander essential oil (optional, but lovely)
-2 drops Juniper Berry essential oil

Haven't tried Juniper Berry yet? Get some today!
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Bergamot Essential Oil: Info & Uses

Have you ever tried Bergamot essential oil?



Bergamot essential oil is one of our ALL-TIME favorites here at Spark Naturals. It is an incredibly versatile oil with many uses - keep reading to learn more!

Bergamot is a lesser-known citrus fruit, also called the Bergamot Orange, and originated in the town of Bergamo in Northern Italy. The oil is cold-pressed from the peel of the fruit, which has been compared in size to an orange and in color to a lemon or lime.

Spark Naturals Bergamot essential oil has a wonderfully uplifting, fresh, bright, citrus scent. It makes a FANTASTIC addition to diffuser blends and is typically regarded as a "top note."

Historically, Bergamot essential oil has been used to support recovery from UTIs, promote a healthy response to depression and anxiety, combat cold sores, and in perfumery and skin care (although Bergamot does sensitize the skin to sun, so care must be taken to use it well diluted [no more than 2% of the total mixture] and avoid direct sun exposure after use).

Bergamot essential oil is believed to have antiseptic, antimicrobial, antidepressant, analgesic, antispasmodic, febrifuge, digestive, and deodorant properties. It's quite the powerhouse!

BONUS FACT: Did you know that Earl Grey tea is made by adding Bergamot essential oil to black tea?

You'll be happy to have some Bergamot essential oil in your life - we promise! It is almost universally enjoyed. Get some today: http://ss1.us/a/ffwDf9bI

DIY Lavender Massage Oil

Looking for a quick and easy massage oil solution? We recommend our Pure Touch, a proprietary blend of the best essential oils for a rejuvenating massage. You can easily combine with a carrier oil to make a massage oil of your preferred strength. 

If you don't have Pure Touch handy, you can always make this Simple Lavender Oil:

Simple Lavender Massage Oil
-1 cup Spark Naturals Grape Seed oil (or carrier oil of choice)
-10 drops vitamin E oil
-6 drops Lavender essential oil

Simply combine in a dark glass bottle and shake well. Enjoy!
Love this recipe? Get it and more in The Herbal Home Spa here:
http://ss1.us/a/5P6tWiYQ

Don't forget to grab some Pure Touch while it's ON SALE this month:
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Afternoon Oasis Diffuser Blend

If it's been a long day already, take some time out to relax with this diffuser blend:

Afternoon Oasis Diffuser Blend
-1 drop Ylang Ylang essential oil
-2 drops Tangerine essential oil
-3 drops Lavender essential oil

Now lean back in your chair, close your eyes, and relax!

Shop online at www.sparknaturals.com.

Research: Fennel essential oil

RESEARCH: Fennel essential oil

This study examined the composition and antimicrobial activity of Fennel essential oil. The study found that Fennel EO showed inhibition against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus magaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus substilis, Eschericha coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Micrococcus lutus, Pseudomonos pupida, Pseudomonos syringae, and Candida albicans!

This study also notes that "It was reported by Nenad et al. (2007) that the main advantage of natural agents is that they do not enhance the antibiotic resistance, a phenomenon commonly encountered with the long-term use of synthetic antibiotics."

The bottom line? The researchers concluded that Fennel essential oil is valuable not only for increasing shelf life of foodstuffs but it could be a future target for replacing synthetic antibacterial agents.

Read more here:
http://ss1.us/a/2AS2fyU1

Shop online at http://ss1.us/a/S6QXAn78 for quality essential oils, accessories, and more.

Hormone Support

Hormones have a huge effect on our body and emotions, and if they're out of whack, the "ripples" can be felt in all aspects of our lives! Happily, essential oils can help support hormonal balance.

In The Aromatherapy Companion, Victoria Edwards recommends these two blends to support hormonal balance:

Male Hormonal Balancing Blend
-10 drops Bergamot essential oil
-2 drops Chamomile essential oil
-6 drops Sandalwood essential oil
-3 drops Lemon essential oil
-2 oz apricot oil (or carrier oil of choice)

Female Hormonal Balancing Blend
-10 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
-2 drops Jasmine essential oil (can sub more Ylang Ylang or omit)
-3 drops Patchouli essential oil
-3 drops Clove essential oil
-3 drops Geranium essential oil
-2 oz apricot oil or carrier oil of choice

Simply mix all ingredients in a 2oz bottle and shake well to combine. Use as a massage oil.

Like these blends? Get the book here:
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Citrus Oils and Price Tag Removal

QUICK TIP: Citrus oils and EASY, COMPLETE price tag removal!

Have you ever seen the lists that sometimes go around of people who were spotted with price tags on their shoes? Maybe they didn't forget to remove them, they were just too stuck on!

Whatever the reason for price tags that "stick around," essential oils can help! Simply use a citrus essential oil (Lemon is a classic, but I've used Lime and Grapefruit, too) - apply a few drops directly to the area and rub until the adhesive wipes off. NO STICKY RESIDUE!

Grab our Citrus Kit while it's ON SALE this month:
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Essential oils and Listeriosis

RESEARCH: Essential oils vs. Listeria monocytogenes

This study screened essential oils against 20 different strains of Listeria, a pathogen that is often foodborne and can be fatal. The essential oils were tested against the Listeria strains in vitro (in dishes, not people), and several essential oils were found to be effective against ALL 20 strains of Listeria, including:
-Cassia
-Cinnamon leaf
-Clove bud
-Basil
-Bergamot
-Eucalyptus radiata
-Melaleuca
-Lemongrass

Interested? Read more here: http://ss1.us/a/DJ5pTyPO

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Vinyl Floor Cleaner

Do you have vinyl floors? Try this easy, NATURAL floor cleaner recipe starring Lemon essential oil, featured in our Citrus kit which is on sale as one of the Deals of the Month!

Vinyl floors have seen a recent resurgence with their affordability and improvements in their appearance. However, they can sometimes get a little gross (especially in the kitchen)!

All-natural Vinyl Floor Cleaner
•1c liquid castile soap
•15 drops Spark Naturals Lemon essential oil
•15 drops Spark Naturals Melaleuca essential oil
•6c warm water

Mix all ingredients together and use as needed. This also works fabulously for grimy walls!

Get the Citrus kit here: http://ss1.us/a/5cBJt1Xl

Emotional Burnout Blends

Are you suffering from emotional burnout? Whether the result of caretaking of a loved one, unexpected difficulties in life, or some other reason, these blends from The Fragrant Mind (one of our NEW March Deals of the Month) are designed to help lessen the effect of emotional burnout.

Burnout No. 1
-2 drops Vetiver essential oil
-10 drops Bergamot essential oil
-3 drops Lavender essential oil

Burnout No. 2
-3 drops Lavender essential oil
-2 drops Clary Sage essential oil
-3 drops Marjoram essential oil
-7 drops Lemon essential oil

The author advises:
"[These] two blends are for general emotional burnout and they are half measure because, with burnout, it is better to start softly, using only 15 drops of essential oil to the usual 30 mls (1oz) base [carrier oil], and if you make a synergistic blend only use 1-2 drops in the bath or 1-2 drops diffused in the atmosphere, As sime goes on you can add to the number of drops of essential oils in the blend, up to the usual 30 drops of essential oil."

Love these blends? Get the book while it's ON SALE:
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Green Oven Cleaner

Do you wish your oven looked like this? Do you want to know how to clean your oven without using toxic chemicals?


To make it you will need: ½ cup salt, ¼ cup borax, 1 box (16 ounces) baking soda, about a cup of water, ¾ cup white vinegar, 10 drops thyme essential oil and 10 drops lemon essential oil.

Start by combining the salt, borax, and baking soda in a bowl. Add just enough water to make a paste. It took about a cup of water to make a spreadable paste.

Next, remove the racks from your oven and preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Turn off the oven and spread the paste on the oven walls with a sponge or cloth and allow it to set for 20 to 30 minutes.

Combine the vinegar and essential oils in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the oven walls and wipe clean. This takes more elbow grease than is necessary with a commercial oven cleaner, and you might need to use some fine steel wool for scrubbing. (If you prefer the scrubbing to the toxic feel and smell of oven cleaner)

Finally, rinse well, and admire your nice, clean oven walls!

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