Stop and Smell the Rose Essential Oil

Aromatherapy is the use of volatile oils derived from herbs, flowers, grasses, etc which makes "essential oils." Essential oils should be a part of every self-healer's kitchen, first aid kit, and bathroom shelf. Any herb that is especially aromatic is considered anti-microbial. Many of these have very profound effects in combating bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts. Essential oils can be used topically, in foods, soaps, baths, room sprays, dryer sheets and much, much more. Though there are thousands and thousands of essential oils, with the advice of herbal botanist Dr. Jill Stansbury, I have narrowed it down to a few ESSENTIAL essential oils.

1. MINT- cooling, mental focus and clarity, dandruff, UTI, headaches, asthma, cough, gas/indigestion/diarrhea, soreness

2. Lavender- poison ivy (never WASH area, just blot on lavender with cotton ball), headache, nerve pain, burns, acne, cuts, infections, insect repellant, oily hair or dandruff, allergies

3. Orange- mental/emotional booster, "Opens the Orifaces" so asthma and stuffiness

4. Oregano- anti-fungal, intestinal yeast, athlete's foot

5. Tea Tree- anti-fungal, dandruff, oily hair, sinusitis, stuffiness, warts, cold sores, burns

6. Wintergreen or Camphor- musculoskeletal pain, insect repellant

7. Clove- dental pain, musculoskeletal pain

8. Fennel- stomach or intestinal complaints such as nausea, flatulence, pain, etc. Can be used directly on skin whereas most essential oils should be diluted or added to carrier oil since they can irritate the skin.

9. Nutmeg- addictions

10. Rosemary- headache, mental clarity and memory, detoxification

Ideas to make your own remedies:

People Soup: throw orange peels or whole flowers into your bath with you. Or better yet, make People Tea: put dried or fresh herbs in pillowcase and tie closed, steep for 20 minutes while you wisk away to blissful hydrotherapy. CAUTION- If you want to use essential oils in the bath, keep in mind that oil floats and can irritate the booty if sat in! So use a few drops for scent and stir it up.

Dryer Sheets: take a piece of fabric and rub in a few drops of essential oil. Use as you would if purchased.

Headache: a couple drops on a cold washcloth placed over forehead while feet in a hot footbath.

Oil bases: a few drops in a carrier oil like olive oil or castor oil- can be used as lotion, massage oil, scalp treatment, etc.

Room Sprays: even a little bit of essential oil in water can be sprayed to freshen up a room, just make sure to shake before use since they do not mix well.

Any other ideas or questions on aromatherapy and essential oils?