Archive for August, 2007

Aug 30th 2007 Essential Oil Essential to Perfumes

Essential oil, used in aromatherapy as well as perfumes, is extracted from herbs, flowers and fruits in several ways.

# 1 Distillation is the process whereby the flowers or herbs are placed on a screen within an enclosed vessel. As the steam passes up through the flowers it breaks open the cells which include the essential oils. The oil evaporates and is carried up with the water droplets within the steam. As the water condenses it is collected. The oil is lighter than water is separated. It can take several hundred pounds of roses for example, to extract one ounce of rose essential oil. Making essential rose oil one of the most expensive essential oils. The water that is left has uses and retains the scent of the material.

# 2 Cold pressing is another method. This is used to extract essential oils from citrus fruits. The fruit is scared (pricked) over it’s surface releasing the oil from the pouches within the skin of the fruit. The whole fruit is pressed then releasing the oil and the juice. The oil rises to the top of the juice and separated by centrifugation.

# 3 Flowers such as jasmine and tuberose are so delicate or have such a low amount of essential oil that heating the blossoms by steam would destroy the petals before the oil is released. Enfleurage is time consuming and expensive. However it is the one method that can be performed at home. Flower petals are placed on trays of odorless vegetable or animal fat. The fat absorbs the oil from the flowers. Every day the old petals are removed and replaced with fresh ones. This process continues until the fat is saturated with the essential oil. For home uses the highly scented oil/fat can be used as is. For commercial perfumes adding alcohol to the enfleurage mixtures separates the essential oil from the vegetable of animal fat.

# 4 Solvent extraction is less time consuming than enfleurage. A chemical such as hexane is used to saturate the plant materials and draw out the essential oils. The oils and the hexane form a compound called a concrete. Alcohol mixes with the concrete and as the alcohol evaporates it takes the hexane with it and the remaining substance is essential oil. The disadvantage is that it is nearly impossible to remove all the hexane.

Not all essential oils are nice.  Us humans find that citronella oil is very pleasant but dogs don’t.  This is why you can buy a citronella spray collar for dog training purposes.

  • Perfume – Sells a variety of perfumes and makeup at discount prices.  All products 100% genuine.

No Comments » Posted by April / Beauty

Aug 29th 2007 Symptoms of a Yeast Infection

Discussing vaginal infections can be very embarrassing. A lot of women would rather hope for a miracle or take care of it before anyone knows.

75% of Women Affected: Yeast Infections are very common. Infecting roughly 75% of woman at some point in their life and nearly half of them having it reoccur. The symptoms of an infection can be similar to many other vaginal infections. If you are having symptoms such as itching, burning, or swelling, it is best to start with a visit to your doctor.

What causes a Yeast Infection?

Yeast Infections, also known as candidiasis, is caused by a fungus called candida albicans. Yeast is sometimes found in the vagina, along with other areas of the body, but in low amounts. When there are changes from things like antibiotics, pregnancy, or frequent sexual intercourse where semen is introduced to the vagina a yeast infection can occur.

There are certain conditions in which a yeast infection is more likely. If someone uses a lot of douches, feminine sprays, or anything that may change the natural balance of the vagina this can lead to an infection.

What Are the Symptoms?

The itching can be so intense that walking or sitting may become uncomfortable. Swelling of the vulva may occur along with burning during urination. You may also get a white-yellowish discharge that may be lumpy and have a smell of yeast.

Urination may cause burning. This symptom is also an indication of a urinary tract infection. Knowing where the burning is coming from will help to determine which one it may be. With a yeast infection the burning will happen as soon as the urine exits. The burning is caused when the urine hits the already irritated skin. If the burning starts before that, it may be a urinary infection and you should see a doctor.

If you have symptoms such as itching, burning, or redness you should contact a doctor to confirm a yeast infection. Since there are a number of other things it may be, having a doctor diagnose the condition will insure that the right treatment will be given. Over medicating or medicating when not needed may lead to a resistance to the medicine. If this happens, it may make it more difficult to treat the infection if it returns.

How Can You Prevent it?

There are ways of preventing an occurrence. Avoid using any products that may change the environment within the vagina. Stay away from wearing synthetic under garments, instead choose cotton. Keep the area clean and dry.

Yeast Infections mostly happen in women in their child bearing years. However, this is not always the case. Men and children may get them, also.

Again, the first stop should be the family doctor. After it is determined that this is the type of infection you have, treatment will be next. There are many different types of over the counter remedies along with natural cures. Talk with your doctor to decide what will work for you.

1 Comment » Posted by April / Health

Aug 24th 2007 Right Hand Diamond Rings – Not Just For Married Women

The latest trend to arrive in the diamond jewellery industry is the right hand diamond ring. Buy your own diamond ring? Surely not! Well, that’s exactly what’s happening and is one of the hottest trends to hit the fashion scene.  You also don’t have to bother with pre wedding counseling.

Wearing a diamond ring was always more acceptable for the left hand. When we think of diamond rings we think of the traditional engagement rings or wedding rings, which of course are worn on the ring finger of the left hand.

Gone are the days when women looked for housekeeping money from their husbands, women are much more financially independent now. The right hand diamond ring symbolizes success, self-assertiveness and freedom, which is sort of the opposite of what the left hand diamond rings symbolize with love, commitment and union.

Right hand diamond rings are designed differently than the engagement rings. The stones are often smaller and there are usually more stones compared to a single one that we normally see with matrimonial rings.

Right hand rings came about because of the obsession for women to gain what the left hand rings stood for. The right hand rings are to show women they can be successful and independent without needing a partner in their life to be successful.

The modern woman strives to distance herself from the June Cleaver, submissive housewife icon that plagued women for ages. It plays on their independence and their feminist side that says you don’t have to be married to feel valued or loved.

Marketing possibilities have broadened for diamond rings. They use to market to men, the person spending money on the engagement ring. But today, they’re honing in on advertising campaigns that cater to a woman’s sense of self worth.

It’s not just married women that can wear them, single women can to show their empowerment. It symbolizes strength in spirit, which married women can have as well as the successful single woman. These rings have also gained popularity simply because they are beautiful and something new to try out – a trend everyone’s enjoying.

Right hand rings can also make the perfect gift for any strong spirited woman in your life, so browse through the different designs and find one that matches her personality.

  • Wedding Toasts – This is not the easiest thing to come up with so you’ll need all the help you can get.
  • JewelryVortex has a vast selection of mens diamond wedding rings in gold, titanium, tungsten, and platinum.

No Comments » Posted by April / Fashion

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