Essential Oils – More than Aromatherapy
Browsing the personal care aisle at your average grocery store, you will find numerous products claiming they contain essential oils, mostly for the purpose of adding a pleasant aroma to said product. Beyond that, many people do not know how effective essential oils really are and what they might do for their well-being and health. But they are missing out on a time-honored therapy that could help cure infections, lift moods, soothe stress, cleanse the body, fight free radicals and even clean our homes by replacing those toxic household cleaners.
Essential oils have been used for over 6000 years in various cultures and ethnicities for therapeutic, hygienic, spiritual and ritualistic purposes. They are obtained by steam or distillation of different parts of the plants, including the flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, stems, bark, wood, etc. They can be diffused, inhaled, applied topically, incorporated into massages, or taken internally.
Here is a short list of some of the most important essential oils and their uses:
- Lavender: Skin rash, insect bites, acne, minor burns and scrapes, sleep problems, nervous tension
- Tea Tree: Nail fungus, athlete’s foot, dermatitis, cold sores, acne, dandruff, psoriasis, insect bites
- Lemon: great as a household cleaner and disinfectant, dandruff, bad breath and hand sanitizer
- Peppermint: stomach cramps, bronchial congestion, cough, insect and rodent repellant, anti-microbial
- Eucalyptus: asthma, pain from fibromyalgia or shingles, disinfectant, eliminates germs and odors
- Clove: Prickly heat rash, bruises, fungal infections, insect bites, wounds and cuts, ear aches
- Chamomile: Boils, dry skin, bee and wasp stings, eczema, cuts, bruises, dermatitis, acne
- Frankincense: Warts, scar tissue, boils, migraines, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, insomnia
- Grapefruit: Swollen lymph nodes, oily skin and hair, cellulite, acne, migraines and headaches
- Oregano: Arthritis, fungal infections, fibromyalgia, herpes, shingles, candida, tendonitis, sprains
There are many more powerful and useful essential oils, but it is important to keep in mind that the quality of the oil is extremely critical. The best quality oils are produced from plants that are free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and herbicidal residue and with gentle processing methods. The better the quality of the oil, the more effective it will be. Almost anyone can enjoy the benefits of essential oils, but because they are so powerful one should use caution and those persons with allergies, and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, as well as children and pregnant women, should only use essential oils under the guidance of a trained professional.
So do your homework when purchasing and using essential oils and then reap the multitude of benefits that can be gained from them for improving your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. If you are interested in learning more, we are offering several classes this month