| Aromatherapy, like many other natural treatments, is | | | | and use only oils labeled "pure essential oil" from a |
| growing more powerful in Dallas, Houston and | | | | quality company. Perfume oils and lower-quality |
| throughout Texas. Once thought of as just so many | | | | products just won't do the trick. |
| pretty scents, the populace is becoming more aware | | | | (1) Stress Relief. Between work, kids, and any |
| of how powerful this therapy can be in changing | | | | glimmer of a credible social life, the "everyday" takes |
| mood, relaxing muscles, even relieving migraines. | | | | its toll. To relax and relieve tension, use lavender, |
| Pain relief, decrease in stress, improvement in medical | | | | neroli, chamomile, and vetiver. A back massage with |
| conditions, and better sleep have all been reported, | | | | geranium oil is a wonderful remedy for mood swings, |
| and all show a positive affect on immunity. With | | | | and frankincense can restore normal breathing |
| better health, you may even get a better deal on | | | | patterns during sensations of panic. Chamomile and |
| that individual health insurance premium. That's right, | | | | marjoram oils are proven remedies for tension |
| boys, chamomile isn't just for the girls anymore. | | | | headaches, and even some migraines will respond to |
| While working in a perfumery, the great, early | | | | a few drops of lavender rubbed into the temples and |
| twentieth century French chemist, René | | | | forehead. Rose and lavender oils will send most to |
| Maurice Gattefossé, badly burned his hand. | | | | dreamland, even with Austin's traffic in the |
| Searching for any available cold liquid, he found a | | | | background. Two or three drops on the pillowcase |
| quantity of lavender oil, and in plunged his digits. | | | | will do the trick, as will a sachet under the pillow...Of |
| Astonishingly, the burn healed very quickly, with little | | | | course, the ultimate evening is a warm, essential oil |
| or no scarring, and inspired his further research. | | | | bath and relaxing massage before falling into a |
| Essential oils—naturally occurring, powerfully | | | | rose-scented bed. Ahhh. |
| scented plant substances—are at the heart of | | | | (2) Aches and Pains. Most of us experience muscle |
| aromatherapy. Each plant part often produces unique | | | | aches and pains from time to time, and, for those |
| oils with different properties. For example, orange | | | | with particularly physically-strenuous jobs, it's more |
| peel generates what is known as orange oil, while the | | | | often. Eucalyptus—easy to grow throughout |
| leaves produce petitgrain, and the blossoms make | | | | Texas—chamomile, cypress, and rosemary oils |
| neroli. | | | | are the top choices for complaining muscles. Ten |
| What is even more fascinating is that no one is sure | | | | drops in a warm bath, or used with a therapeutic |
| what essential oils are exactly. While certain | | | | massage, can be excellent remedies. Clary sage, pine, |
| constituents have been chemically identified, all that is | | | | and jasmine oils are also good choices, and a few |
| really known is they are volatile, extremely | | | | drops of ginger oil will improve circulation to the area. |
| concentrated, oily plant substances with healing | | | | (3) Cuts, Scrapes, and Bites. Even minor cuts, |
| properties. They're not an "oil" in the traditional sense, | | | | scrapes, rashes, and insect bites can be treated with |
| nor are they anything else we've identified in a plant. | | | | essential oils, common problems in warm, |
| Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Persians integrated | | | | Southwestern climates like Texas. Tea tree is an |
| them into important rituals, Native Americans | | | | excellent anti-fungal, anti-viral and antiseptic topical |
| throughout what is now Texas and the Southwest | | | | treatment, great for everything from cuts and |
| were quite familiar with use of concentrated scents, | | | | scrapes to bee stings. Violet oil soothes rashes and |
| and massage therapists depend on them as a critical | | | | sore, irritated skin, while patchouli and chamomile act |
| part of treatments. | | | | as effective anti-inflammatory and antiseptic |
| Extracting the essences often require at least several | | | | treatments. Peppermint oil is traditional for insect |
| pounds of plant material for every gram obtained. | | | | bites, and lavender shows up, yet again, as a great |
| Price of the finished product depends on the amount | | | | skin healer. |
| of labor and raw product required. Eucalyptus oil, for | | | | (4) The Dreaded Flu. We all dread it, we all fight it, |
| instance, is fairly inexpensive, while rose oil | | | | but at some point, it always happens: the flu. Not to |
| (considered an absolute) is a luxury. Approximately | | | | worry. Heat eucalyptus in a vaporizer, to ease |
| one ton of rose petals are required to manufacture a | | | | breathing and disinfect the air. A few drops of |
| single ounce of essential oil! | | | | eucalyptus or cedarwood on the pillow at night will |
| But many species used to produce therapeutic oils | | | | help congestion, as will applying a chest rub, so long |
| are common. Even residents of dry climates like | | | | as it is properly diluted with a carrier oil, such as |
| Texas can grow their own bay, eucalyptus, sage, | | | | almond or jojoba. Myrrh is a great expectorant when |
| ginger, marjoram, or rosemary plants. For most, | | | | used with steam inhalation, and pine oil is an age-old |
| buying essential oils is more practical, but those in the | | | | remedy for bronchitis, colds, and congested nasal |
| congestion of Houston and Dallas can still benefit by | | | | passages. Apply a few drops of ginger, lavender, or |
| growing box gardens in their windows. The herbs, | | | | peppermint oil on a cloth and inhale for nausea. |
| then, can be used for cooking, making small quantities | | | | With all the media surrounding the healthcare crisis, it |
| of home products, cleansing the air, and scenting the | | | | can be easy to forget how everyday, simple |
| home. | | | | measures can really improve our health. But most of |
| Very basic knowledge is all that's needed to start | | | | us don't need a comprehensive health insurance plan |
| applying the power of essential oils. A few drops on | | | | in order to soak in a hot bath, decongest our sinuses, |
| a cotton ball, dropped into a vacuum collection | | | | or prevent minor cuts from turning into infections. |
| chamber, will fragrance the home while cleaning. A | | | | Relax! You'll ease stress, sleep better, and increase |
| sprinkle on a handkerchief, or in bathwater, can | | | | immunity. Take care of that sore back with a |
| provide much needed stress or sinus relief. Cold and | | | | therapeutic massage, and don't neglect, of course, to |
| hot compresses are just as easy to make, a | | | | stop and smell the roses. |
| multiplicity of home products are only a few minutes | | | | Instructions for Use: |
| away, and, if all else fails, inhaling the aroma from the | | | | • For massage, mix 3 drops of oil in 1½ |
| bottle is a great form of therapy. Finally, something all | | | | tablespoons of almond or jojoba oil. |
| Americans can do to keep healthy—and without | | | | • To enjoy a therapeutic bath, sprinkle 6 to 10 |
| needing individual health insurance to cover it! | | | | drops of oil into warm bath water and soak for at |
| Because essential oils are so powerful, direct | | | | least 15 minutes. |
| application to the skin should only be done with | | | | • For steam inhalation treatments, pour boiling |
| certain oils and, of course, pregnant or nursing | | | | water into a large basin and add several drops of |
| women, or those who suffer from any chronic | | | | essential oil. Cover your head with a towel, lean over, |
| conditions (including allergies), should consult a | | | | and inhale. |
| knowledgeable practitioner first. Never ingest them, | | | | |