Aromatherapy and a guide to essential oils.

Scent is one of our most powerful senses....just think how a smell can remind us of a loved one, or take us to a different place or time. But did you know that scent can also have the power to heal - not just our emotional but also our physical well being.

What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy a practice that has been around for thousands of years. The basic definition is: healing ones emotional or physical well being through the use of plant oils - or 'essential oils'. There are many different essential oils and all have unique properties to help heal.  There are numerous guides and books om the subject and I would recommend some basic reading to anyone who is new to the practice. Books on aromatherapy

What is an essential oil?

An essential oil - Essential Oil -  is a very concentrated substance that is derived from distilling plant pieces - sometimes  the petals, others may be from the stem or the root. Most often clear, the oils are pure and potent, a little goes a very long way! An essential oil is exactly what is says it is  - the essential part of the plant from which is is derived....it does not contain any additional substance, scent or preservative....which brings us to an important point - there are many items on the market which contain the word 'essential oil' or aromatherapy...however they may contain many other things in addition to that oil - for example - the term perfume oil does not refer to an essential oil despite wording that might otherwise lead you to believe that you are purchasing a true essential oil!

You need to look for two things - one the label should have the essential oil listed and thats all , second the price; essential oils are rich and as I have said a little goes a long way, They are most often sold in 15oz or 30oz sizes and can be quite pricey which is an indication that you are buying the real thing, they also can vary widely in price and you do not want to buy from someone who lists every oil they have for the same price, lavender is one of the cheapest ( for example I can purchase 30oz locally for $8) but Frankincense is  more than twoce that....if in doubt, buy from a reputable place such as an organic store. 

Sometimes these oils may be diluted in a carrier oil such as 'sweet almond oil ' in such cases these are true aromatherapy products but have been prediluted so they can be used directly on the skin - the bottles may be bigger and the cost a little less but it will not go as far!

You also want to buy oil in a dark container  - they are typically sold in small brown glass bottles. Light can damage the properties of an essential oil so you would not want to purchase oil in clear glass and certainly not plastic which can react with and ruin the oil.

How do I use Essential Oils?

There are many ways these oils can be used. Essential oils are powerful and must be diluted prior to direct use on skin. They can also be fatal if ingested so please learn their use prior to using.

You can use for massage and to do this you could add a few drops of your favorite oil to an unscented lotion. Many companies that sell essential oils also sell such products so you can make your own personal lotions. You can also add to a carrier oil - carrier oil - almond these are usually cheap to buy and worth getting if you are to pursue an interest in aromatherapy.

Certain essential oils may be added to a bath - lavender is great for this purpose - very relaxing and smells wonderful.

You may use an oil burner to scent a room. There are many different examples on the market. One of the cheapest and most simple is a lamp ring, this is a little metal ring that you add to the top of a lightbulb then fill with a little of your favorite oil. The heat from the lamp will help the scent fill the room. You can also use oil burners where oil is added to water in a bowl then placed over a nightlight. Essential Oil burner

Another great product is a car essential oil diffuser - this is something you place in a lighter socket then add essential oils to a little pad that is inserted into the diffuser. Peppermint is a great choice - this will keep you alert while on the road.

Certain oils may also be inhaled - a wonderful example of this would be eucalytpus - add a few drops to a bowl of steaming hot water and inhale during times you have a cold. This has antiviral properties that can help you feel a lot better!

The list of uses is endless - but be familiar with your oils before using, as essential oils should be treated with caution - basically treat like they are medicine - find out their uses and side effects before use.

What can Essential Oils Heal?

The list again is endless, but know that both the emotional and physical health can benefit from aromatherapy. Everything from stress, anxiety and  mental fatigue to bruises, acne and insect bites may be alliviated by the use of essential oils.

Guide to essential oils and how they can help:

Here is a list of just some of the oils on the market, together with their properties, their uses and links to purchase them though eBay:

• Lavender - one of the most well known and widely available. Has a lovely floral scent and is widely used for its sedative properties...a few drops in a bath or on your pillow can help promote sleep. But this oil is also analgesic and anti - inflamatory - try using when dilted on insect bites, bruises, scrapes and wounds, may also be used to help soothe sunburn and is wondeful when massaged on the temples to help ward off a headache  - Lavender

• Tea tree - often seen on the shelves in acne products - this has a very strong almost medicinal smell - not one to scent the room but due to its antibiotic, antifungal, antisceptic properties, this is great on cuts, wounds, acne , dandruff, athletes foot, burns. tea tree

• Peppermint - again strongly scented with antisceptic, astringent and digestive aiding properties, this is wonderful when added to a bowl of steaming water to soothe feet after a long day - also great for indigestion and nausea among other uses , can upset sensitive skin- Peppermint

• Lemongrass - has a sweet citrus scent that is simply fantastic.  this has among other properties - an antidepressant quality and may be used against stress and tiredness. Also can help those who have lost their appetite. I like to mix this with lavender  in a burner as it just smells so great and really uplifts your mood. lemongrass oil

• Pine oil - not so widely available - but wow, is this one good to burn over the holidays - makes that fake tree seem almost real. its woody scent is not the only thing about this oil which is a great decongestant so try mixing a drop or two in your steaming bowl of water along with your eucalyptus to have relieve those cold symptoms. pine

• Rose oil - so floral and fragarent - love to scent the room with this and with its many wonderful properties - antibacterial, sedative, antidepressant - this can help against stress, insomnia and is great for dry skin. rose oil

• Ylang Ylang  - wondefully sweet and floral - this is easy to find - smells great in a burner and is most often found in romantic lotions / potions due to its aphrodisiac  properties - also a good antidepressant and sedative, can help relieve stress and promote sleep. Ylang ylang

• Myrrh -this one is going to cost you more  - but its warm spicy scent is worth it! Again a wonderful way to scent the room, the antisceptic propertoes make it good for a sore throat and mouth problems. Another oil that is also good for cold suffers it can help promote a healthy immune system. myrrh

Summary

This guide simply touches on some of the oils and some of their uses out there. Aromatheraphy is best used together with tradtional medicine and I do encourage folks who are interested, to learn about each oils and their uses - for example - many are not recommended for use during pregnancy.There are many vendors out there both on your doorstep and the world of eBay...I have found some better than others and you are welcome to contact me through eBay for some links to eBay sellers.

Have fun, relax and I hope you have learned something about the world of aromatherapy!!