Living Balanced With Rita

Raven Spotlight

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Raven essential oil blend is like a deep breath. Ravintsara (Camphor), Eucalyptus Radiata, Lemon, Peppermint, and Wintergreen oils combine for a scent that is crisp and refreshing! Raven contains ravintsara aka camphor - the active ingredient in over the counter chest rubs. (Sadly the OTC rubs contain synthetic camphor. We however have the good stuff - real and natural!). This oil is our go-to for when we need to breathe easy.

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JUST A DROP RAVEN…

  • Has a cool, minty, eucalyptus aroma reminiscent of a spa
  • Smells uplifting and refreshing
  • Helps soothe when applied to the chest and throat
  • Helps open airways when inhaled or diffused
  • Contains ravintsara - camphor - a well known herb for respiratory congestion

One of the easiest ways to use Raven is in place of OTC chest rubs or creams. This is as simple as mixing one drop of Raven with a pump of V-6 Carrier oil! You can apply it over the throat, chest and back as well as the bottom of the feet. Raven is also great to diffuse (we love it with Thieves when things get crazy!) or add to an epsom salt bath when needed. You can also make a hot compress to place over the nasal passages, throat or chest with a hot rag and a drop of Raven. It's so easy to use!

RAVEN BACKGROUND Ravintsara is found within the leaves and wood of the camphor tree, a large evergreen tree native to regions in southern China and Japan, as well as Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam. Ravintsara's slightly woodsy aroma pairs perfectly with other essential oils in the mint family, including Peppermint and Wintergreen. The whole experience of the blend is sweetened with a sprinkle of Lemon, creating the sensation of walking through a crisp, quiet winter forest.

INGREDIENTS IN RAVEN Ravintsara (camphor): an ancient herb that has been used for centuries for respiratory needs, known in Madagascar as the 'oil that heals'. Lemon: a cleansing oil high in limonene and wonderful for immune support that is also a natural mucolytic. Wintergreen (methyl salicylate): in the same family as the plant from which aspirin was derived, this oil is great for the respiratory system. Wintergreen is a key ingredient in the Thieves cough drops too! Peppermint: amazing for respiratory support, lungs, and sinuses, this mint oil can help open and soothe the respiratory tract. Eucalyptus Radiata: long used for respiratory and sinus support, eucalyptus is a wellness cabinet must-have.

KEY CONSTITUENTS *Constituents are naturally occurring compounds in plants (and therefore essential oils) that give them specific health-supporting properties

  • Menthol: has been studied for its use to support healing and relief of minor aches and pains as well as airway support.
  • Eucalyptol: this constituent has far-reaching positive effects on the respiratory system, memory, and more.
  • Methyl salicylate: a naturally-occurring compound that may have analgesic properties; synthetic methyl-salicylate is commonly used in many over the counter preparations for minor aches and pains.

RAVEN & EMOTIONS Did you know that ancient Chinese and Greek medicine practices point to the lungs as being the place where Sadness and Grief are stored? Everyday life is full of highs and lows, and whether chronic or acute, grief can create physical feelings in our chests. And let's face it- there is a lot to grieve as we go through life! When we are grieving we both physically and emotionally feel like we have very little "room to breathe". Conversely, when we feel excited, self-assured, and happy our chest feels light and puffed up.

Raven supports our every-day lung function while also creating the feeling of having more breathing room! Wintergreen, Ravintsara, & Eucalyptus open up our airways and help us to feel like we have more space to breathe and let go of the grief! Here are a few ideas for using Raven in this way:

  • Diffuse with citrus oils as you process through your emotions. To release our motions we need physical movement so consider yoga, walking or even stretching.
  • Rub a little behind the ears and over the chest while repeating the mantra: "I see clearly" or "I let it go".

DAILY HABITS WITH RAVEN Use Raven in your daily health & wellness routines.

  • Add a few drops of Raven to the shower floor while you shower. Steam + heat + Raven = magic!
  • Make a simple DIY Chest Rub:
    • Apply to the chest and throat, back, or even the bottom of your feet before bed!
    • Add a few drops of Raven to a carrier oil or to OrthoEase Massage oil and rub on your chest or feet before you exercise.
  • Whip up a simple DIY Massage Oil for tired legs, feet or other muscles as needed.
    • 4oz pump bottle
    • 20 drops Raven essential oil
    • 10 drops Copaiba essential oil
    • 10 drops Lavender essential oil
    • Carrier of choice
  • Make a Breathe Roller to use before/after exercise or whenever you need to breathe more deeply:
    • 10mL roller bottle
    • 15-20 drops each Raven, Lavender, Lemon, Frankincense
    • Fill with carrier oil
  • Diffuse for respiratory support! Pair with Lemon, Lavender, Thieves or Idaho Balsam Fir.
  • Add it to your bath with some Epsom salts. For 1 cup of epsom salt add up to 10 drops Raven.
  • When things really start to go south, try this Flu Bath recipe!
    • 10 drops Raven
    • 6 drops Frankincense
    • 6 drops Idaho Blue Spruce
    • 3 drops Dorado Azul
  • Make a hot compress with a washcloth and a drop of Raven and place over your nasal passages, throat, or chest.
  • GIve your tired feet some love with this Spa Day Foot Scrub
    • 2 Tbsp Organic Sugar
    • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
    • 2 Tbsp of Honey
    • 1 tsp Lemon Juice
    • 5 drops Raven
    • Mix ingredients well then rub onto feet. Wrap feet with warm damp towels and let sit for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes remove the towel and wipe off the scrub. Follow with moisturizer if desired.

Add Raven to your natural home care routine

  • Add a few drops to dryer balls for the fresh smelling laundry.
  • Use Raven in your DIY Laundry Scent Booster:
    • To a large glass jar with airtight lid, add
    • 1 1/2 cup epsom salt
    • 1/2 cup baking soda
    • 30 drops Raven
    • Whisk together until all ingredients are well combined.
    • To use: add 1-2 Tbl into the washer before adding any laundry. Add laundry and the normal amount of laundry detergent.
  • Make a Mattress & Upholstery Spray to use when you change the sheets or anytime a surface needs a little freshening:
  • Make a simple linen and upholstery spray - these are great for when the seasons change and air quality lowers!
  • Make these DIY Cleaning Fizzies for the bathroom or kitchen:
    • 1 cup Baking Soda
    • ½ cup Citric acid
    • ½ cup Cornstarch
    • 4 teaspoons water
    • 30-40 drops Raven
    • 3 teaspoons V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex or other carrier
    • Ice cube tray or candy mold
    • Step 1) In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix evenly.
    • Step 2) In a separate bowl, combine water, essential oils or blends, and V-6.
    • Step 3) Pour liquids into the large bowl and mix together until combined.
    • Step 4) Use the mixture to fill an ice cube tray or candy mold about three fourths full. If the mixture expands and spills over the mold, gently repack into the mold.
    • Step 5) Let sit overnight to dry in a room temperature area. When dry, pop tablets out and store in a glass jar.
    • To Use: When needed, put a tablet in the toilet bowl, hard-to-clean bottles, or sink full of dishes to help clean and deodorize. Let sit in the bowl, bottle, or sink for 20–30 minutes to fizz and dissolve. Once dissolved, flush or rinse out.
  • Make DIY Scented Sachets to bring a fresh, spa-inspired aroma to any area of your home.
    • ½ cup Organic uncooked rice
    • ¼ cup Epsom Salt
    • 1 cup Dried lavender buds
    • Muslin cotton drawstring pouches, approximately 5 inches long by 4 inches wide
    • 40 drops Raven or a mix of Raven, Lemon and Lavender
    • In a medium bowl, mix rice, Epsom salt, flower buds, and essential oil to thoroughly scent the mixture. Spoon mixture into your muslin pouch.
    • Place anywhere you want to add a fresh lavender scent. Refresh your pouch every 2-3 weeks by opening it up and adding more drops of essential oil
  • Make an Herbal Deodorizing Spray for pet beds, upholstered surfaces, car upholstery, etc!
    • To a 4oz glass spray bottle add
    • ¼ cup white vinegar
    • 40 drops Raven (can add Lemon too!)
    • Pinch sea salt or splash of witch hazel
    • Filtered water
    • Spray lightly onto surfaces to remove unwanted odors.

DIFFUSE: Diffusing is a wonderful health habit! We have our diffuser going almost 24/7 and love to choose blends that are supportive of individual needs or systems. Try some of these great combinations with Raven!

  • Autumn Breeze: 5 drops of Thieves + 3 drops of Lavender + 2 drops each Raven, Vanilla
  • Aveda: 4 drops each Lavender, Rosemary, Raven
  • Deep Breath: 5 drops Raven + 3 drops each Lemon, Frankincense
  • Back to School: 4 drops each Raven, Lemon + 3 drops Thieves
  • Spa Day: 4 drops Raven + 3 drops each Rosemary, Lavender + 2 drops Stress Away
  • Fresh Laundry: 4 drops Lavender + 3 drops each Tangerine, Lemon + 2 drops Raven