It’s Essential: Aromatherapy

Years ago I stumbled upon The Aromatherapy Book: Applications and Inhalations, by Jeanne Rose while browsing in my local bookstore. I honestly can’t remember what drew me to aromatherapy in the first place other than the fact that I’ve always had thing for beautiful scents. Nevertheless, this book has been and still is a treasured gem in my personal library and has taught me the proper handling along with some great uses for essential oils. I have concocted everything from my own signature scents to healing potions in times of illness or injuries for the whole family. Plants and their essences are truly magical and powerful, but more important they are natural. I even have a special cabinet that houses these beauties, which I refer to as “our medicine cabinet”.

If someone were to ask me what were my top three oils I use most I would say:

• Lavender oil used in perfumes for centuries other uses include soothing anxiety, antiseptic and pain reliever.
• Eucalyptus oil is widely used in pharmaceutical preparations for treating cold symptoms, and is a natural antibacterial and antimicrobial. Its many uses include decongestant, miticide, and cleaning solution.
• Tea Tree oil is a powerful antiseptic with many uses such as treating athletes foot, minor cuts, and scrapes, pimples, cold sores, lice and ringworm.

Every Day Uses
Put 6-10 drops each of essential lavender and eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle with water to keep on hand to freshen up bed linens, throw pillows or use as air freshener. Also, add oils to any unscented lotions or detergents to customize your own scent.

Make a sea salt foot bath and add lavender, tea tree or peppermint oil and soak; great for tired or athletes feet and nail fungus.

Add 3-5 drops of Eucalyptus oil to a hot shower for an instant steam treatment; helps clear congestion in sinuses and lungs.

Bonus Blend
Thieves or Medieval oil is a blend that comes in handy during cold and flu season. Legend has it, during the dark ages physicians and grave robbers alike protected themselves from the Black Death with aromatic herbs of lavender, thyme, and rosemary. Some blends also include lemon, eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove and tea tree essential oils.

*Please be advised: Always consider contraindications and take precautions when using essential oils.

Sources The Aromatherapy Book: Applications and Inhalations

Photo credits: Photos 1 and 2 by Debi Phillpotts