| Every now and then, I think it is important to refresh | | | | Dry inhalation: Put 1-3 drops of an essential oil on a |
| our minds with how and why we use essential oils. | | | | cloth, and hold up to your nose. Breathe in deeply. |
| This allows us to once again, regain our focus, and | | | | Healing Compress: Add 5 drops of essential oil to 1/2 |
| move forward in life with less stress and anxiety. It | | | | cup of hot water or cold water. Dip a cloth in the |
| shows us the correct methods of using essential oils. | | | | water, wring it out and apply where necessary. The |
| It also gives us the background of where they come | | | | hot press is good for cramps and the cold press is |
| from, and how we obtain them. All of this is | | | | good for fevers and headaches, or even sunburns. |
| important, and goes a long way in the therapeutic | | | | Humidifiers: Add a few drops of lavender essential oil |
| healing of aroma. | | | | to a humidifier or vaporizer. This will help fight |
| Many plants contain volatile compounds, i.e. essential | | | | symptoms of colds, bronchitis, and asthma. |
| oils, that we extract from the flowers, seeds, bark, | | | | Herbal Sauna: Use essential oils in the sauna to aid the |
| roots, and even the peels. | | | | lungs and help strengthen the immune system. Add 5 |
| It is in these oils, which we extract, where the | | | | drops of essential oil, such as tea tree, to 1 cup of |
| healing properties are contained. Some of these | | | | water and pour over the heated sauna stones. Just a |
| properties are antiseptic, warming, soothing, calming, | | | | suggestion - if the sauna uses lava rocks on an |
| stimulating, and antispasmodic. | | | | electric heater, it may not be a good idea to pour |
| The quality of the oil depends on a few items. First, | | | | water in this situation. |
| plant species ,i.e. the region, soil condition, and the | | | | Some Popular Oils |
| climate in which the plant was grown. Second, the | | | | Peppermint - soothes respiratory infections, aids |
| time of the day the plant material was harvested. | | | | circulation, fightsinflammation, relieves flatulence and |
| And, third, the extraction method used and the | | | | indigestion. |
| storage. | | | | Tea Tree - Acts as a, antiseptic, is antiviral, is |
| It is believed that plants grown organically or | | | | antibacterial, is antifungal,helps heal acne, sunburns, |
| collected in the wild yield the highest quality oils. | | | | and even infections. |
| Extracting the oils is done through various methods, | | | | Lavender - Is an antibiotic, soothes headaches, and |
| but steam distillation and cold pressing are the best. | | | | helps heal wounds, and repels insects. |
| Avoid any synthetic oils or those extracted with | | | | Storage Tip |
| chemical solvents. | | | | Store essential oils in opaque glass bottles in a cool, |
| It takes a large amount of material for extraction, so | | | | dark place. Refrigerate citrus oils. Label clearly. |
| this is a very labor intensive and expensive process. | | | | Properly stored essential oils will keep well over a |
| BUY from reputable places. | | | | year. Please, just remember, keep all essential oils |
| Applications | | | | away from children. Using some of the above |
| Steam inhalation: Add 5 drops of an essential oil to a | | | | techniques and information, you can really use |
| bowl of steaming water. Drape a towel over your | | | | essential oils to have a more positive effect on your |
| head and hold your face over the bowl. Breathe in | | | | well-being. |
| deeply. This is especially good for sinus conditions. | | | | |