Essential oils for circulation or preventing clots; and how to fill roller ball bottles.
Blends from Essential Oils Pocket Reference, and my own blends. Essential Oil Book Club
I saw a joke post about essential oils on X that asked ~ What essential oil would annoy you or turn you off the most upon meeting someone? The answers were fairly evenly split between - All anyone needs to do is to start talking about essential oils and I would be annoyed; and - Patchouli. A few other specific scents were mentioned but Patchouli was clearly the winner, or loser in this case. Patchouli is one of the types of oils that linger far longer because the aromatic chemicals are more stable and people may have negative associations from heavy incense. Citrus oils fade fairly quickly.
The benefits of Frankincense, Lavender, Garlic, Turmeric/Curcumin, Ginger, and Cypress oils for breaking up blood clots and improving circulation are discussed in a video shared in a comment by Barry O’Kenyan, thanks: (Youtube). Video embedded later.
For poor blood circulation the (YL) 3rd Ed. Essential Oils Pocket Reference, Limited Condensed Version lists:
Helichrysum, Lemongrass, Clove, Nutmeg, Balsam Fir, Orange, Lemon, Cistus. (page 85) and Goldenrod, Marjoram, Cypress, Myrtle, Grapefruit, Peppermint, Geranium. (page 107) (8th edition on Amazon)
Apply single oils in a 50/50 (or a greater dilution if sensitive) topically to carotid arteries and pulse points or the affected area of pain ~ 2-4 drops two to three times daily. A body massage with the oils two to three times a week sounds really nice ;-)
Blends to improve circulation:
Circulation blend 1: Basil - 5 drops; Marjoram 8 drops; Cypress 10 drops; Peppermint 3 drops.
Circulation blend 2: Basil 3 drops; Peppermint 2 drops; Cypress 4 drops; Marjoram 8 drops; Wintergreen or Birch 10 drops. ← that would be higher salicylate, more pain relief potentially. (page 107)
Blends for Varicose/Spider Veins:
For Varicose Veins: Helichrysum, cypress, wintergreen/birch, basil, peppermint, lemon, lavender. Apply on location 3-6 times per day, undiluted or diluted for your sensitivity level.
Varicose Vein Blend 1: Basil 3-4 drops, Wintergreen/Birch 1 drop; Cypress 1 drop; Helichrysum 1 drop.
Varicose Vein Blend 2: Helichrysum 2 drops; Cypress 2 drops. (page 108)
5 Stars for the Essential Oils Pocket Reference including niacin in their Circulation Disorders section:
“Niacin (nicotinic acid) is effective for dilating blood vessels and increasing circulation. The amino acid L-arginine and cayenne pepper have similar properties.
Essential oils may be extremely useful for promoting circulation. Myrtle, lemon and cypress have been used to strengthen and dilate capillaries and increase circulation. Helichyrsum, clove and citrus oils are natural blood thinners, balancing the viscosity or thickness of the blood, and they amplify the effects of cypress. Marjoram relaxes muscles and dilates blood vessels, while nutmeg acts a as a circulatory stimulant and anti-inflammatory. Goldenrod is a vein decongestant.” Essential Oils Pocket Reference, 3rd Edition, (3rd Ed. on Amazon) (8th edition on Amazon)
Filling your own Roller ball Bottles
Filling your own Roller Ball bottles with the blends you are using daily makes it a lot more convenient and therefore a lot more likely that you will use the oils. I do feel better when I use essential oils routinely, but I also fell out of using them, or didn’t refill roller bottles promptly. Life keeps rolling forward and I try to keep up. Making things simpler and in batches can help - I refill several roller bottles at a time when I am doing the fragrant but messy chore. See this post for more Do It Yourself info or links: (Substack)
Roller Bottle DIY section
Some people only add about 20 drops to a ten mL roller bottle. I like mine a little stronger with ~40-50 drops. A ten mL bottle holds about 170 drops. The Frankincense in my recipes is a prediluted brand, so those already have added coconut oil.
The MCT/Fractionated organic coconut oil is the same that I use to make structured water blended hot beverages.
The purple gadget in the image helps to remove and put on the bottle rollers. Mine came with a box of empty bottles. There are variations. That type is available here: (walmart.com).
It is easy to spill bottles while filling or assembling. I spilt part of one when trying to pop the roller ball on.
Oil can be scooped off a clean surface somewhat.
Steps to fill or refill roller ball bottles.
Count out the drops of your recipe into the empty bottles.
Add Fractionated coconut oil to fill the bottle. A large eye dropper makes it less messy.
Press in the roller bottle top with the help of the purple device. It would have been used to open bottles that need to be refilled, step 0.5.
Twist on the cap and make a bottle label if it is a new bottle.
Wipe up any spills and fasten everything tightly. Essential oils spoil if exposed to the air very long.
I refilled my two favorites and made and extra of the Breathe Clear. I also made my own version of a Crown Chakra blend I had purchased and made a new Clary Sage Breathe blend for diffuser use and an extra roller bottle because I had poured out too much MCT oil. 🙂
Filling and refilling your own Roller bottles makes it easy to use oils more often and cheaper. It can save a lot of money because the essential oil companies charge ~ $30 or more per Roller Ball bottle but each is filled about 4/5ths with inexpensive coconut oil. I can empty my favorite roller bottles in month or two. The ones I don't use don't get emptied….they have to handy or it is to forget to use them.
These first two blends are by my bed and I use both several times a day or at night. The Bruise blend I use as needed for my sore spots or on my neck for a headache - Cypress is good for that.
Tachycardia/Racing heart Ylang Ylang blend: Ylang ylang - 30 drops; Eucalyptus - 10; Frankincense- 20 (4). «< could save a lot of money or side effects from anti-anxiety meds.
Breathe Clear blend: Fennel - 10 drops; Camphor - 20; Geranium - 4; Rose - 2; Frankincense - 20 (4); Eucalyptus - 10. «< my version of Vick's VapoRub.
New today, Clary Sage Breathe Clear / Diffuser blend: - I made some bulk for use in a diffuser and then filled a roller ball bottle one fifth with that and topped with MCT oil.
Clary Sage - 60; Eucalyptus ~ 80; Camphor ~ 80; Citronella - 10; Rosewood ~ 80. *I bought some larger bottle oils that have eye droppers so just fill and squirt ~ it is a rough count. Wholesale Botanics, it was a good price.
New today, Crown Chakra blend: Clary Sage - 20; Lavender - 20; Cedarwood- 10; Frankincense - 20.
Bruise Relief Blend: Cypress - 10; Camphor - 10; Eucalyptus - 10; Cedarwood - 6; Frankincense - 10; Geranium - 6. «< this is what I made for my broken toe and it is nice.
The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Clary sage essential oil as support for Glandular and Hormonal health. It is commonly recommended for female health support. (3rd Ed. on Amazon)
Cedarwood - Nervous system and Respiratory system support.
Geranium - Emotional Balance and Skin & Hair support
Fennel - Digestive/Elimination and Glandular/Hormonal support.
Frankincense - Nervous system, Immune/Anti-infectious, Emotional Balance, Anti-aging and Skin & Hair support.
Rose - Emotional Balance and Skin & Hair support.
Ylang ylang - Cardiovascular system, Glandular/Hormonal, and Emotional Balance support.
Camphor is not included, other oils in my blends are included in the list in the next section.
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Several of the oils in the video plus a few others are mentioned in a poorly referenced article about oils for improving blood circulation or blood pressure. 10 Essential Oils For Blood Circulation In 2023 (Increase Blood Flow) (healthwatchlist.com) The following is the list from the article, but with my rewrite/fact check and additional cautions.
1. Ginger - may be pain relieving used topically (diluted) on sore muscles or joints, reducing inflammation, and improving circulation; a warm sensation may be felt in the area it is applied. If the oil is pure, read the label, it should be edible and a drop or two could be added to a hot beverage or added to recipes. It would be a digestive aid and could help pain and inflammation. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Ginger for Nervous System and Digestive/Elimination support.
2. Cypress - helps reduce muscle pain and headaches. Improves circulation, detoxification and is relaxing for the nervous system. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Cypress for Cardiovascular System, Muscle & Bone support.
3. Eucalyptus - the phytonutrient eucalyptol dilates blood vessels and increases circulation. It may help relieve fatigue. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Eucalyptus by species which are all good for Respiratory System support, and Muscle & Bone is mentioned for Eucalyptus globulus which is a commonly used species.
4. Coriander - may relieve pain and reduce blood pressure and improve blood lipids. It may provide a diuretic effect. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Coriander for Digestive/Elimination and Glandular/Hormonal support.
5. Wintergreen - may reduce clot risk from platelet aggregation and improve circulation. It is ‘blood thinning’ with similar chemicals as aspirin. Cautions: Topically, wintergreen can feel very cooling, or it might be experienced as a hot or burning sensation for sensitive skin. Do a test patch on a very small area first. Avoid overlapping use of Wintergreen oil with other salicylate medications or overusing it topically as it is absorbed well. Covering a large amount of the body would be a really large dose compared to using some minty pain creme on one sore wrist or knee - as an example. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Wintergreen for Muscle & Bone support.
6. Juniper - may help with detoxification and reduction of uric acid. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Juniper for Digestive/Elimination and Emotional Balance.
7. Black Pepper - may help with blood lipids due to the terpene limonene. Also aids digestion and may help improve constipation. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide doesn’t list Black Pepper essential oil in the Body Systems Chart, Appendix B, pp 227-237.
8. Lavender - anxiety and stress relief, may help promote sleep It helps dilate blood vessels. Safe for use undiluted topically, though dilution for sensitive or young skin is always recommended. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Lavender for Nervous and Cardiovascular support, Emotional Balance and Skin and Hair.
9. Neroli - essential oil of the flowers of bitter orange trees. May improve circulation and lower blood pressure. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Neroli for Digestive/Elimination and Skin and Hair support.
10. Cumin - pain relief, may help with blood lipids. The Essential Oils Pocket Guide lists Cumin for Digestive/Elimination and Immune/Anti-infection support.
The list of 10 oils is based on this article (healthwatchlist.com) plus I added info from (3rd Ed. on Amazon) .
Disclaimer: This information is being shared for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use and is not intended to provide individual health care guidance.
Thank you... shared! :)
From where do you source your essential oils? I've been trying to find coriander.