ALL ABOUT PILLAGER'S POTION: A PROTECTIVE, STRENGTHENING SYNERGY BLEND

IN ESSENCE...

• Pillager's Potion is a synergy blend in which complementary essential oils are combined to enhance each other's individual properties. It is composed of Clove Bud, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Tea Tree oils.


• According to popular lore, the Pillager's Potion blend originated in Europe during the time of the bubonic plague when a group of thieves employed it to prevent them from catching the disease as they stole from the sick and the dead.


• Fortifying chemical compounds in this synergy blend help to purify the air, promote deep breathing, and boost immunity.


• Composed of cleansing essential oils, Pillager's Potion has a powerfully refreshing scent with woody, herbal and citrus nuances. Used in aromatherapy, this blend is known to be balancing, clarifying, and to stimulate mental energy.


• Ideal uses of Pillager's Potion include inhalations and diffusions, aromatherapy massages, baths and body rubs, as well as household cleaning products.

RECAP OF SYNERGY BLENDS

Essential Oils Synergy blends are aromatherapy oils that are comprised of a combination of essential oils, and that have been specially designed to enhance the effects of the individual oils. Synergy refers to the phenomenon of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Applied to aromatherapy, when the different essential oils in a synergy blend are combined, their interactions are known to make their individual properties stronger. Synergy blends are typically designed with a specific purpose in mind, such as supporting immunity, encouraging relaxation, or stimulating mental clarity. To achieve such a purpose, complementary essential oils – that is, oils with similar properties - are carefully selected and expertly blended.

It is important to note that synergy does not happen simply by mixing any essential oils together; the oils must be compatible to produce the desired effect. Indeed, some oils are known not to mix well together and may produce antagonistic effects rather than beneficial synergy. It is therefore important to understand the underlying chemistry of different essential oils, how some components can strengthen others, and what are the optimal proportions to use of each oil in a synergy blend.

INTRODUCTION TO PILLAGER'S POTION

Pillager's Potion is an immunity supporting synergy blend of Clove Bud, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Tea Tree Essential Oils. The strange name of this blend has an intriguing history behind it - it comes from a folktale about 4 thieves who were caught pillaging the sick and dead during the peak of the plague and somehow managed to avoid catching the disease themselves. The story goes that under threat of retribution for their crimes, the thieves revealed their secret for protection to be a combination of purifying herbs and spices. Many variations of such a 'pillager's potion' have since been concocted in the name of boosting immunity, all of them based on natural ingredients known for their purifying properties. While there are multiple essential oils that might be included in such a blend, the same ones often show up together – this is because they have strong synergy.

PILLAGER'S POTION BENEFITS AND COMPOSITION

Pillager's Potion has a host of benefits that make it a valuable synergy blend to support your body's natural defenses. All the essential oils in the blend are known to be cleansing, and each brings its own unique chemical composition into the mix, with considerable overlap. The following chart outlines the main chemical constituents in the blend's constituent oils and provides a summary of their reputed benefits:

*All antioxidant activity referenced in the chart was observed in controlled laboratory studies.

In addition to the reputed benefits of individual chemical constituents, each oil's characteristic fragrance contributes to the synergy of the blend. Clove Bud and Cinnamon Bark are warm and spicy oils that are known to blend well together and with woody oils such as Eucalyptus and Tea Tree. Woody oils are likewise known to blend well together and with herbaceous oils such as Rosemary. Sweet and citrusy Lemon is also known to have herbaceous undertones, depending on the variety, which adds a further complementary element to the blend. Because these oils all combine well together, the resulting fragrance of the synergy blend is harmonious and offers up the best features of each oil. The chart below outlines the fragrant nature of each essential oil in Pillager's Potion and their reputed aromatherapy benefits.

Taken together, the aromatic nature and chemical constitution of Pillager's Potion make it an excellent synergy blend to boost immunity by helping to cleanse the body, support healthy respiration, and promote feelings of energy and vitality. This blend also helps to balance mood and promote a sense of calm, which can further enhance physical wellbeing by aiding relaxation and promoting restful sleep.

USES OF PILLAGER'S POTION

A multipurpose synergy blend, Pillager's Potion is ideal for use in a home, office, or classroom environment to purify the air, promote clear and deep breathing, and help maintain a robust immune system.

The simplest way to leverage the benefits of this blend is to make a basic inhalation by adding a few drops to a tissue. The scent will linger throughout the day so you can keep the tissue close and sniff whenever you feel like a quick pick-me-up. You can make another simple inhalation by adding a few drops of this blend to a bowl of steaming water and holding a towel over your head to contain the vapors. As another quick and easy way to refresh the energy in a space, a simple room spray can be made by adding 50-100 drops of Pillager's Potion to 300 ml of distilled water. For a more continuous experience, several drops of the blend can be added to a diffuser to help restore a sense of invigoration when mental energy has dropped or to a vaporizer to help combat anxious feelings at night and promote restful sleep. Diffuse for 20 to 30 minutes.

Pillager's Potion makes a wonderfully refreshing aromatherapy massage blend when diluted in a carrier oil of your choice. Massage gently into temples, chest, around shoulders and neck, or massage into sore muscles to help clarify mental energy, promote deep breathing and restore a sense of invigoration. This blend also makes for a cleansing and comforting foot massage. We recommend a 3-5% dilution for topical application.

To use in a bath, simply dilute 8-10 drops of Pillager's Potion in a teaspoon of carrier oil and add under running water. Inhale the vapors and allow your body to release its tension, taking slow deep breaths and embracing clarity of mind. If desired, dissolve with some bath salts for an extra relaxing and pampering sensory experience. If using Pillager's Potion in a footbath, dilute 4-6 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil before adding to the bath and soaking feet. To keep the synergy going after the bath, a drop of the diluted blend can be added to a single use amount of a regular cream, lotion, body butter, or balm and massaged into the skin.

As this synergy blend is a potent cleansing oil, it can also be used in household cleaning products to keep your quarters sparkling while infusing your home space with its stimulating scent. Combine pure water with isopropyl alcohol in a 50:50 ratio and add to a spray bottle. Add several drops of Pillager's Potion (we recommend a 2% dilution, but you can adjust according to what smells good to you) and shake before using.

PILLAGER'S POTION SYNERGY BLEND GUIDE

Botanical Components:

• Clove Bud (Syzygium aromaticum) Essential Oil
• Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Essential Oil
• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) Essential Oil
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Essential Oil
• Tea Tree (Malaleuca alternifolia) Essential Oil
• Lemon (Citrus limon) Essential Oil

Believed to:

• Have a refreshing and stimulating scent
• Have cleansing properties
• Help maintain strong immune function
• Help address airborne bacteria
• Clear airways and promote deep breathing
• Promote feelings of mental energy

Uses:

• Diffusions and inhalations
• Room sprays and cleaning products
• Massage
• Baths
• Creams/lotions, body butters / balms

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

If the strengthening synergy of our Pillager's Potion has sparked your curiosity about the science behind synergistic scents, check out our article on The Magic of Synergy Blends. This is a fantastic resource that takes an in-depth look at the way essential oils work together and how professionals design optimal blends. At New Directions Aromatics, we offer a variety of carefully crafted synergy blends to support your aromatherapy goals. Browse our blends to amp up your self-care with some sensational synergy!

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR PILLAGER'S POTION

NDA Synergy Blends are comprised of 100% pure essential oils. As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, Pillager's Potion is for external use only. This product should be well diluted prior to use. We recommend consulting a medical practitioner prior to using this product for therapeutic purposes, particularly for those who are pregnant or nursing, for those who are taking prescription drugs, and for those who have a pre-existing medical condition.

Use of this oil should be avoided for those who have recently undergone major surgery, for those with peptic ulcers, for those with high blood pressure, and for those with a bleeding disorder. A physician should also be consulted before using this oil for those who are at a heightened risk of heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, or severe allergic reaction.

Potential adverse reactions from the use of this essential oil include headaches or nausea from inhalation, and skin irritation or allergic reaction from topical use. To avoid such reactions, it is recommended to perform a skin patch test prior to using this oil topically and not to exceed recommended concentrations for aromatherapeutic use.

A skin patch test can be performed by diluting 1 teaspoon of Pillager's Potion in 1 teaspoon of distilled water and applying a dime-sized amount of the blend to a small area of skin that is not known to be sensitive. In the event of an adverse reaction, immediately discontinue use of the product and see a medical healthcare professional for appropriate remedial action.

Pillager's Potion must not be used near the eyes, inner nose, ears, or on any areas of the skin that are known to be sensitive. It is recommended to avoid direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after use. This product should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, particularly those under the age of 7.