As a child, I encountered quite a bit of digestive discomfort.  I tried many over the counter medications but nothing felt right in my body, nothing was healing.  I always wished I could be someone who was able to eat anything and feel fine but that never was meant to be.  I attribute a lot of my success and enjoyment in the field of massage therapy to my highly sensitive constitution.  As I entered this world of essential oils, I was immediately drawn to the types that would supposedly help calm the stomach and digestive organs.  Currently, one of my most favorite “go to” oils, for this particular ailment, is Fennel.  It has an intensely cooling vibration when taken internally after meals.  You can also work the essential oil into some coconut oil and rub on the abdomen to start your day off balanced and clean.  The aroma of fennel can smell a bit like licorice or anise, also a great aid in the digestive process.  Another powerful tool in fennel’s belt is its ability to aid in birthing and lactation by stimulating estrogen production.  Fennel is great for supporting the liver, pancreas and kidney making it a wonderful aid in any detoxification program.  You could further that cleansing process by mixing in a bit of Cypress essential oil with the Fennel and massaging onto the feet or low back.  It has also been known to stave off hunger, so a combination of Fennel essential oil and Grapefruit essential oil taken internally would be helpful during a diet regimen.  In historical times, Fennel was known to ward off evil spirits and increase strength and courage.  After reading all about the wonderful properties of this oil you can imagine why it was regarded as such a powerful tonic.  If you are feeling healthful and vibrant subsequently your vitality glows!  Enjoy a bit of fennel during a unique abdominal massage treatment next time. You are in for an experience you’ll never forget.
By: Sarah McCallum Massage Therapist @ North Lake Tahoe Massage and Skin Care

             A majority of the time, people come in for a treatment wanting some sort of relief from tired and overworked muscle pain.  The use of certain essential oils can be very powerful at easing the discomfort associated with fatigue.  On the other hand, there are a variety of essential oils that help ease trauma associated with emotions.  One of my favorite oils for emotional work is that of the species pelargonium or better known as Geranium.  This floral oil has an amazingly positive effect on the heart.  It can be helpful when trying to increase warmth throughout the body and has been known as the ‘emotional healer’ of the essential oil world.  Geranium is gentle enough for babies and children making it a wonderful addition to the birthing room or nursery.  Many times people underestimate the powerful transitions that occur during those early years of our lives.  Many things that mark a person for life happen during their first 8 years on this planet.  Using Geranium can help heal any childhood issues while calming the body and mind.  The essential oil of Geranium has been known to aid women dealing with endometriosis or severe menopausal symptoms.  It is also very helpful in the treatment of throat infections, diabetes, blood issues and insomnia.  Geranium has a balancing effect on the emotions and helps to open the heart chakra.  It is astringent, antiseptic and sedative in nature.  This oil is also healing to the liver so make sure to add it into a detoxification routine.  As a female and a mother I find this oil to be indispensible.  At the very most, I can use it to help clean my body and support organs like my heart and my liver.  At the very least, a few drops of Geranium oil on the face can really improve that radiant glow we are all striving for in the morning.  If you’re interested in cooking with Geranium, look for Certified Therapeutic Grade essential oils.  I fell upon a recipe that sounds quite amazing so I figured I’d let you all test it out and get back to me.  Happy Spring!

Geranium Creamà

1 cup of heavy cream

4 tablespoons sugar

8 ounces of cream cheese or crème fraiche

4 drops of Geranium essential oil

heat the cream, sugar and geranium oil in a pan on the stove top until hot but not boiling and the sugar has dissolved, remove and once cooled you can beat in the cream cheese…enjoy topped on fruit or cakes/cookies!

By: Sarah McCallum
Massage Therapist @ North Lake Tahoe Massage and Skin Care - serving King's Beach, Tahoe Vista, Incline Village, Carnelian Bay, Dollar Point ...

    As I have been fighting off a cold this week, it seems like my bottle of Eucalyptus essential oil hasn’t left my side.  This native of Australia has as many as 700 different species.  The tree’s height ranges anywhere from 30-480 feet dependent upon the specific genus of Eucalyptus.  The oil is obtained by distilling the leaves and twigs of the tree.  Eucalyptus has a scent similar to that of Peppermint, very refreshing and cleansing in odor.  Before hopping in the shower this morning, I rubbed a few drops against my chest and then stood in the tub allowing the steam to mix with the oil to create a relieving vapor.  There is nothing quite as amazing as open nasal passages after a night of sniffling.  I am so happy to be able to use this cooling and stimulating oil in place of over the counter medications that would most likely make me feel groggy and blasé.  Once I am completely over my bug I will diffuse this oil around my house in order to cleanse and purify the environment from all of the stale, sick air.  Eucalyptus is a great oil to ward off sore throats, congestion, infections and pain, simultaneously purifying the area.  Therefore, you can use it to heal the ill and clean up all in the same session.  In the past people have been relocated to areas abundant in Eucalyptus trees in order to heal from various illnesses.   During massage this oil can really give sore and tired muscles a rest.  The oil helps to improve circulation, increase mental clarity and elevate energy levels so make it a part of your morning routine rather than your evening routine.  It can be a wonderful deodorant and disinfectant, try a bit in place of your standard perfume or after-shave.  Ask for a combination of Eucalyptus and Peppermint essential oils during your next massage to give you an alert and healthy start to your week!    
By: Sarah McCallum
Massage Therapist @ North Lake Tahoe Massage and Skin Care

    There are a variety of essential oils that are great motivators for the body and mind - this will be of great interest to our North Lake Tahoe massage and skin care spa guests.  One of my favorites for the start of my day is that of the sweet and gorgeous grapefruit.  As a child I can remember my mother cutting her giant citrus fruit in half and simply eating it piece by piece with a sharp edged spoon.  I wasn’t ever a huge fan of grapefruit or any of the citrus fruits as a kid but that all changed in adulthood.  Firstly, grapefruit essential oil helps to decrease physical and mental fatigue while increasing endurance and mental clarity.  All of those qualities may not have meant much to me when I was young but they most certainly turn bad days into good ones now that I am a busy new mother.  Those looking to incorporate essential oils into their health care routine need to grab a bottle of this powerhouse liquid.  Grapefruit essential oil helps curb cravings and decreases appetite while reducing cellulite and obesity.  When combined with Cypress the two have a winning reputation for beautifying and toning the skin by increasing blood flow and balancing bodily fluids.  Some words that come to mind when smelling this lovely scent are cooling, purifying, refreshing and reviving.  This oil can make for a wonderful addition to facial products aiming to reduce oil and sebum production on the skin.  Grapefruit essential oil is photo-toxic therefore those applying it to the skin topically need to avoid direct sunlight for a few hours so as not to increase the chance for severe burns.  One of my favorite ways to enjoy this oil is internally by adding a few drops to my daily fresh squeezed juice.  The tart and fresh taste takes me right back to those summer days of my youth.  Treat yourself to a wonderful foot soak filled with a few drops of Grapefruit essential oil before your next massage treatment and you will feel ready for the day!
By: Sarah McCallum
Massage Therapist @ NLMSC

    Many of the essential oils we know of today have been used in the past as perfumes and colognes.  A few popular base notes are rosewood, sandalwood, ylang ylang, cinnamon and frankincense.  These are all very heavy and solid making for a nice aroma to build upon.  One of my personal favorite essential oils for perfumery is Vetiver.  This long green grass has incredibly strong roots and a woodsy scent.  It is native to Asia where many were planted on hillsides to ease erosion.  Vetiver is a great insect repellant known to rid homes of moths.  The essential oil is a great tonic for the digestive system while easing nervous tension and promoting restful sleep so make sure to use it in the bath before bed.  Vetiver is also known to heal the skin, uplift the mood and strengthen the body making it a wonderful addition to your early morning routine as well.  Vetiver may be a bit masculine in aroma due to the woodsy quality but the smell is more fresh than heavy.  In my opinion, there is a strong connection between the smell of fresh laundry and Vetiver essential oil.  Always remember that an essential oil will smell far different on your body than out of the bottle.  Once the oil hits your skin it begins to react with your personal chemistry so it will smell different on each person.  I really enjoy combining Vetiver with Vanilla and using those two as my daily perfume.  Explore different synergies between oils because you never know when you will make a new and beautiful scent.  Enjoy applying oils as you get the instinct to do so because the body typically subconsciously knows what it needs.  If you are interested in learning the properties of certain oils just ask our team, most everyone is very knowledgeable on the healing power of essential oils!      
By: Sarah McCallum
Massage Therapist @ NLMSC