The March Simply Earth essential oil recipe box brought with it a few surprises. Not only did I discover amyris essential oil for the first time, I also learned a few other interesting things when making my amyris essential oil recipes. Keep reading to learn about the the usage and benefits of amyris essential oil. Plus discover the natural amyris essential oil recipes I tried.
About Amyris Essential Oil
To be honest, before receiving amyris essential oil in my Simply Earth essential oil recipe box, I’d never heard of it. I literally had to look it up. As it turns out, this thick, viscous essential oil is often used as an affordable alternative to sandalwood essential oil. Known as West Indian Sandalwood – though it’s not actually related to sandalwood – amyris essential oil boasts a rich, warm woody aroma that blends well with a number of other essential oils. These essential oils include cedarwood, citronella, conifer oils (like balsam fir or pine), cypress, frankincense, geranium, jasmine absolute, lavender, lemon, oakmoss, patchouli, sweet orange, tangerine, ho wood, rose absolute, vetiver, ylang ylang and sandalwood.
Considered generally safe for use, amyris essential oil is nontoxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritating. Despite this, it should still be diluted with a carrier oil for topical use. (A patch test on skin is recommended prior to use.) Additionally, it is important to note that amyris essential oil is not intended for oral consumption. And, as with other essential oils, always consult a medical professional if you are pregnant or nursing prior to use.
Amyris Essential Oil Usage & Benefits
Amyris essential oil has a number of uses and benefits. It’s commonly used as a fixative in perfume recipes in addition to a number of other cosmetic and therapeutic applications.
Studies show that amyris essential oil has antiseptic, sedative, decongestant and emollient properties. In addition, researchers have also found that amyris oil contains potent antibacterial and antifungal properties. Specifically, it’s effective against 12 strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria. These include Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella paratyphi, as well as Candida albicans fungi.Due to this oil’s high emerol content, it also makes an effective insect repellent. Not only does it deter biting insects, such as mosquitoes, it also repels brown dog ticks, blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks.
Due to its inherent properties, amyris essential oil is well suited for natural remedies that support the immune system. They also make this oil a beneficial ingredient in recipe formulations that focus on calming the mind, relaxing muscles and aiding with sleep. So it’s no surprise that amyris essential oil offers a variety of aromatherapeutic benefits that aid with both sleep and common illnesses such as colds and flu.
Simply Earth Essential Oil Box
Now that you’re caught up on the basic ins and outs of amyris essential oil, I want to share a few highlights that can be found inside the March Simply Earth essential oil box.
Not only does the March box come with a bottle of amyris essential oil, three other essential oils are also included. They are blood orange essential oil, coriander essential oil and a digest essential oil blend which aids with nausea, bloating and gas. (If you’re new to Simply Earth’s essential oil boxes, you can learn more about what’s inside and how they give back to the community here.)
There are also a number of great essential oil recipes. These recipes include the following:
- Digest Essential Oil Rollerball Recipe
- Mood Lifting Essential Oil Diffuser Blend Recipe
- Anxiety Away Essential Oil Inhaler Recipe
- Magnesium Whipped Body Butter Recipe
- Magnesium Oil Sleep Spray Recipe
- Essential Oil Sickness Support Bath Soak Recipe
My two favorite essential oil recipes from the March box were the sickness support bath soak recipe and the magnesium oil sleep spray recipe. Both of these recipes use amyris essential oil as a key ingredient. You can learn how to make two amyris essential oil recipes from the March Simply Earth box below. Or subscribe to Simple Earth now! (A la carte essential oils and other materials including containers, carrier oils and diffusers are also available for sale without a subscription.)
Easy Amyris Essential Oil Recipes
Magnesium Oil Sleep Spray Recipe
Magnesium oil is not an oil. Believe it or not, I had no idea. I was also somewhat skeptical about an external application of magnesium oil actually helping with pain and sleep issues caused by fibromyalgia. Once, I tried this recipe, however, I was stoked to find it helps not just with sleep. It also calmed the fibro flare ups I’ve been having in my wrists and arms lately. Pain that often makes it difficult to type. Simply spray it on and massage in.
This magnesium oil sleep spray recipe does contain water. However, the magnesium flakes (a salt) used in this recipe naturally preserve the water. Therefore no additional preservative is needed.
What are magnesium flakes?
Magnesium flakes, or magnesium chloride, differs from Epsom salt. Epsom salt is actually magnesium sulfate. While both are absorbed by skin, magnesium chloride is better suited for topical applications. Magnesium flakes therefore are well suited for stress relief, sore muscle recovery, improving circulation, headaches, joint pain, restless leg syndrome and cramps.
Notes about the recipe.
Magnesium flakes are included in the Simply Earth essential oil box. However, you will want to purchase more magnesium flakes, along with the fractionated coconut oil (available from Simply Earth), once the supply they send runs out.
Because I live with fibromyalgia, I did make a substitution in this recipe. Instead of water, I used witch hazel for its anti-inflammatory properties. While you dissolve the magnesium flakes in boiling water, I was able to dissolve them in the witch hazel by simply stirring the two ingredients together.
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon magnesium flakes
1/2 cup boiling distilled water
1 Tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
6 drops blood orange essential oil
4 drop amyris essential oil
Instructions:
Dissolve the magnesium flakes as called for in the recipe in 1/2 cup boiling water.
Meanwhile, in a small glass bowl, stir the essential oils into the fractionated coconut oil.
Next, pour all of the ingredients into the spray bottle (provided.)
To use, simply shake the bottle then mist onto your pillow at bedtime. Or spray onto arms and/or legs as needed and massage in.
Sickness Support Bath Soak Recipe
Simply Earth’s sickness support bath soak recipe is wonderful not just for boosting immunity to fight off illnesses, it also can help with sore muscles and body aches associated with the flu. It’s also effective at calming your body as well as relieving nausea or a distressed digestive system.
Made using amyris essential oil and magnesium flakes, this homemade detoxifying bath soak recipe also contains Epsom salt (not provided) and lavender buds (included.) As this bath soak recipe is diluted in bath water, I actually doubled the amount of essential oils called for in the recipe. (By the way, this smells absolutely AMAZING!)
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons magnesium flakes
1/2 cup Epsom salt
1 Tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
6 drops Amyris essential oil
4 drops Digest essential oil blend
2 Tablespoons dried lavender
Instructions:
In a small bowl, mix the magnesium flakes and Epsom salt together.
Using a separate glass bowl, combine the essential oils with the fractionated coconut.
Now add the salt mixture to the oils and mix well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly incorporated throughout the bath soak.
Then mix in the dried lavender buds. Spoon the bath soak into a small glass jar or container until ready for use.
To use, simply pour the entire contents of the bath soak into warm running bath water.
Can’t wait to get started using this amazing essential oil? Subscribe to Simply Earth today! Use coupon code: SOAPDELIFREE to get a free bonus box with your first order. Plus receive a gift card for $40 off your next order!
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