| The Prime Ingredients in Essential Aromatherapy: | | | | Biochemists suggest chamomile's benefits for women |
| Don't Stay Home Without 'Em | | | | probably result from its exceptionally high |
| "Physician, heal thyself," the proverb instructs, as | | | | concentrations of phyto-estrogens, the female |
| relevant today as 2000 years ago. Today we have | | | | hormones in plants. |
| more tools and techniques for maintaining our own | | | | 3. Sage, opens the doors of perception-The |
| health and well-being than ever before; and, as the | | | | indigenous People of North America exalted sage |
| cost of healthcare soars out of reach, preventive | | | | above almost all other healing plants, using it in all of |
| medicine and home remedies gain importance. The | | | | their cleansing rituals and including "a good saging" |
| more we can prevent illness and heal ourselves, the | | | | among all their rites of initiation for boys becoming |
| more we can reduce the strain on the healthcare | | | | men, girls becoming women, young men becoming |
| system, helping reduce the extortionate cost of | | | | warriors, and young brides preparing for childbirth. |
| medical treatment. | | | | Comparable with some religions' last rites, saging |
| Essential aromatherapy stands out as one of the | | | | rituals frequently prepared the elders for taking their |
| most effective and most widely neglected elements | | | | places along the great spirit path. Piquant, |
| in our repertoire of everyday wellness practices. One | | | | provocative, and decidedly earthy, sage very quickly |
| noted naturopath points out, "Among all the natural | | | | passes the blood-brain barrier, stimulating the brain's |
| healing practices to enrich and enhance our daily lives, | | | | right hemisphere, which regulates imagination, |
| skilled use of essential oils and fragrances certainly | | | | emotion, and the entire psychic register associated |
| ranks as the easiest, least expensive, and probably | | | | with mysticism and spirituality. |
| most beneficial." | | | | 4. Patchouli, all-purpose skin care-Anti-bacterial, |
| The Essential Aromatherapy Essentials | | | | anti-fungal, and nutrient rich, patchouli ranks high on |
| More or less in order of everyday value | | | | the list of aromatherapy essentials for all-natural skin |
| 1. Lavender, uniquely feminine-The most useful, | | | | care. Patchouli essential oil relieves skin complaints |
| adaptable, and feminine among the aromatic | | | | literally from head to toe, working well as an acne |
| essentials. Nature has adapted lavender to assuage, | | | | treatment, because it kills bacteria which contribute |
| alleviate, or cure the vast majority of women's most | | | | to break-outs, and working equally well as an |
| persistent, pervasive health complaints. Named from | | | | athlete's foot remedy, because it kills the athlete's |
| the Latin word for cleansing, lavender works | | | | foot fungus. Just as soothing as it is cleansing, |
| wonders on skin and miracles on hair; in fact, many | | | | patchouli relieves chapping and eczema; and it works |
| naturopaths strongly recommend lavender as a safe, | | | | as well to clear-up oily skin as it helps restore natural |
| natural alternative to harsh chemicals for the | | | | emollients to dry skin. |
| treatment of lice and ringworm. Just as importantly, | | | | Lemon: The Most Essential Aromatherapy Essential |
| lavender relieves and prevents urinary complaints | | | | As the legendary folk song goes, the lemon tree is |
| while it promotes healthy digestion and circulation. | | | | very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet; the fruit |
| Lavender also relieves stress and anxiety, and it | | | | of the poor lemon may be impossible to eat, but it |
| numbers among Nature's greatest sleep aids. | | | | makes up for its flavor appeal with its cleansing, |
| 2. Chamomile, soothing as a lullaby-Sweet, vaguely | | | | healing, and energizing powers. As a general rule, |
| fruity, chamomile, a natural tranquilizer, has grown | | | | lemon goes with just about all things |
| exceptionally popular among makers of herbal teas | | | | aromatherapeutic, and innovative domestic managers |
| because of its soothing and calming properties. Many | | | | have yet to find a household task that does not |
| women claim chamomile stands-out as the only | | | | benefit from liberal doses of lemon. Lemon does |
| aromatherapy essential effective against | | | | everything from disinfecting your cutting board to |
| pre-menstrual symptoms. Women report chamomile | | | | removing free radicals in your vital organs. Just as |
| not only relieves the physical discomforts of | | | | your grandmother advised, "Pearls with everything, |
| menstruation-particularly bloating and cramps; they | | | | dear," so Mother Earth counsels, "Lemons with |
| say it also diminishes irritability and mood swings. | | | | everything. |