Do You Know What Essential Oils Are?

Plants are the basis of essential oils; these oils in living plants are the immune system of the plant. The oils are extracted from the bark, flower, fruit, grass, leaf, needle, rind, root, seed and wood of various plants and sold in a 100% concentration.

Extraction methods make then very highly concentrated. Small amounts are all that you need for most recipes. Contrary to their name, essential oils do not feel oily; most are clear, but some are amber colored. It is important to understand that absolute oils are not the same as essential oils. Various solvents are used during extraction for absolute oils and these oils are used for making fragrances.

Extraction may be by steam (or water), expression, or supercritical CO2. These methods each have distinct processes and reasons for using them.

Steam: this is the purest and most popular method for extraction plant oils. Plants are steamed in a pressurized container. As the steam pushes through the plant, the oils are evaporated as everything cools, the oils return to their liquid form and are able to be collected.

Expression: this method is less popular simply because it cannot be used with most plants; only oils that are locked in the peel of citrus fruits can be extracted by this method. Citrus peels, which are infused with much oil, are pressed. This literally squeezes all liquid from the peel and this liquid must be filtered to collect the oil.

Supercritical CO2: this method utilizes carbon dioxide (CO2) in the extraction process and is used to extract oils which emanate the truest fragrance for the plant.

Therapeutic grade essential oils are distilled with low pressure and low temperatures, according to the plant that is being used. These oils are used in aroma therapy to achieve various psychological effects. For instance, lavender is considered relaxing while peppermint is invigorating. Inhalation or topical application are the main ways that aromatherapy employs to achieve the desired effects.

Important notes:

Essential oils should not be used on young children and pregnant women.
Essential oils should essential oils be ingested, some are highly toxic.
Essential oils should be kept away from eyes (in case or contact, blot with olive oil and rinse well

Essential oils: How Can You Use Them?

Home use of essential oils usually consists of bath additives and topical application (which may be through use in organic skin care or though massage using organic products).

Essential oils (like lavender) used in your diffuser can create a calming atmosphere for everyone in your house. Effects from essential oils usually last about four hours.

As a bath additive, use an oil that produces a certain effect, for instance, a morning bath may have rosemary as an added oil because rosemary is stimulating. A mere 6 drops of essential oil to your bathwater is enough. Remember that the oils are very highly concentrated.

Topical application through organic skin care is very popular today because many people are making their own skin care treatments at home using organic ingredients. This approach to skin care is a return to yesteryear with a twist.

We have learned so much about skin and this knowledge added to ideas about skin care from much simpler times give organic skin care a step above skin care lines that boast many man made chemicals. The addition of essential oils to the organic systems gives you wonderful psychological effects that are not available through most large commercial lines.

If you are currently using a ready to use organic skin care line that does not feature essential oils as ingredients in the line, contact the manufacturer before you try adding them. There may be reasons that the manufacturer has opted against the oils, and you need to know about possible conflicts in ingredients.

Topical application through organic massage emollients is usually a simple mixture of a preferred organic essential oil (usually a calming oil) to an organic carrier oil. A carrier oil is simply a vegetable oil rich in nutrients.

Many of the carrier oils are extracted through expression. Jojoba is one of the most popular carrier oils (apricot kernel, grapeseed, and olive are just a few of the others). For massage, use about 6 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil. If olive oil is your choice, it is wise to dilute this with another carrier, for example, you would add 6 drops essential oil to 1/2 ounce olive oil and 1/2 ounce jojoba. This is because of olive oils strong scent.

By: Louise Forrest -

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Keep yourself looking great with these skin care tips from www.NaturalElements.co.uk You can now get the very latest information on Skin Care by subscribing with RSS

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Botanically referred to as citrus limonum, lemon oil is used by aromatherapists to promote both emotional and physical well being. Having a piquant, lemony odor, lemon essential oil also has antidepressant properties. When the oil is used in an aromatherapy massage, it can aid in relaxation and alleviate depression. Lemon essential oil also stimulates the mind. When the powerful lemon oil aroma molecules are inhaled it is said to help in enhancing concentration and improving memory.

Thus, lemon essential oil is very beneficial for the body, mind and spirit. Having its origins in India, the lemon tree was first cultivated in Italy around the 5th century. The cultivation of this plant then extended to other countries. In the past, lemon peel has been used to add fragrance to clothing and as an insect repellent. Thus, this useful and therapeutic fruit has been utilized in many ways since ages.

According to Ayurveda, the age-old system of medicinal healing which has been in practice in India, the lemon’s sour taste is useful for regulating and alleviating physical and mental imbalances like constipation, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome, confusion, hyper activity, anxiety, worry, premenstrual cramps, insomnia, and restlessness. It can also be used to relieve emotional imbalances like anger and frustration.

The Romans are reputed to have used lemon to treat stomach disorders and to freshen up the breath. In the past, the British Navy also used it to prevent scurvy. While lemon essential oil has various properties, it is best known for its ability to fight infections, mainly due to its capacity of stimulating white blood corpuscles, which act as a natural defense of the body.

Lemon essential oil is extracted by cold pressing the fresh peel, which gives off the tangy and tart scent of freshly shredded peel. Since lemon oil is obtained from fresh peel, only pesticide-free, organically produced fruit should be used. The best lemon essential oil is reputedly produced in Sicily.

Lemon Essential Oil’s Uses:

Lemon essential oil can be used to treat malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid, syphilis and gonorrhea. However, only qualified medical practitioners or aromatherapists should use it to treat these ailments. Other ailments like bronchitis, flu and stomach infections can also be treated by lemon essential oil. It can also help to reduce temperature. Because lemon is a haemostatic, which means it helps to stop bleeding, the oil can be used to treat cuts and other open wounds. Lemon essential oil is also an effective remedy against gastric ulcers because it counteracts stomach acidity. A high amount of acidity is also thought to be responsible for gout, rheumatism and arthritis, which can be alleviated by lemon oil.

Lemon oil is also used as an effective weight loss method because it increases the metabolism and stimulates fat burning cells. When research was done to learn how lemon oil aroma affects the brain, it was discovered that it stimulates the central part of the hippocampus, triggering rational, left brain thinking. Thus a whiff of lemon oil has the effect of swiftly curbing the emotional reactions that trigger off reaching for second helpings and sweets. Disorders of the digestive system which include the pancreas and liver can also be treated by this oil.

By: Marilyn Reid

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For the past 10 years Marilyn Reid has been active as an advocate for Alternative Health Therapies. The author of a soon to be published book on Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Marilyn has been delving into the upstate New York fields of therapeutic Essential Oils for over 7 years. For more information check out, www.tarunaoils.com; www.tarunasenterprises.com

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Therapeutic Essential Oils

Therapeutic essential oils from allspice to ylang ylang have been providing benefits to the body, mind, and soul for centuries. You’ve probably seen the dark, compact bottles with their unusual scents in your local alternative healing store, but maybe you’ve been hesitant to try them.

You may have found yourself wondering, what exactly is an essential oil? It is oil that is removed from the leaves, stems, and flowers of a plant. It is highly concentrated and evaporates easily. For that reason high quality essential oils are always kept in sealed containers. Any good aromatherapy or health food store will carry a range of essential oils for a variety of mental and physical ailments.

Some of the most popular therapeutic essential oils are eucalyptus, lavender, and sandalwood. You’ve probably used eucalyptus in the form of potent smelling vapor rub under you nose and on your chest when you have a cold. That’s because eucalyptus helps to clear your sinus cavities, which leads to better breathing. It also soothes sores and insect bites, acts as a disinfectant, and lifts the mood.

Lavender is always a favorite of the therapeutic essential oils due to its ability to relax the body, calm the mind, fight infection, and soothe inflammation. Unlike the majority of essential oils, it does not have to be diluted and can be applied directly to trouble areas. Or, you can use a few drops in your bath to help you relax or to extinguish a tension headache.

Looking for something more exotic? Try the woody and rich smelling sandalwood oil. For millennia lovers of the deeply aromatic sandalwood oil have used it as an aid for deeper meditation and spiritual development, in religious ceremonies, and as a treatment for skin conditions and other infections of the body. High quality essential oils like pure sandalwood oil can be pricy, but you’re guaranteed to enjoy the experience.

One of the less expensive therapeutic essential oils is tea tree oil, which usually comes from Australia. The scent reminds you a bit of a strong disinfectant, and that’s exactly what it does best – kills germs and bacteria. Always dilute tea tree oil before using it on your skin.

Therapeutic essential oils don’t always come in the mysterious little bottles you see in stores or at your massage therapist’s office. High quality essential oils also come in salves or creams that you can apply to your skin. You not only get the benefit of the essential oil, but you receive the moisturizing properties of the cream. You can also try pure essential oils in a tincture. In a tincture the oil is mixed with alcohol and applied to the skin. In addition, you can purchase a room or car diffuser which turns essential oil into a vapor and distributes the oil throughout a room for everyone to enjoy.

Remember that pure essential oils are always the best, so purchase from stores which carry high quality essential oils. Experiment with the variety of essential oils that exist to see which ones influence your moods and body the most.
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By: Jamie Lynn

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Jamie Lynn has dedicated herself to teaching others the Power of Meditation and other alternative health/healing tips and technique for the mind, body and spirit! www.meditationandmore.com

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Retreat Your Body, Soul And Mind With Aromatherapy Massage Oil An aromatherapy is a practice to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul, conducted with the help of essential oils. It infuses positive spirit and motivates to live life to the fullest brim. It is carried out by and large to treat all disorders. It has been there since ancient times. Nature is capable of healing any of your mental and physical ailments. Even medical science has acknowledged its therapeutic cure. It is used in more than one ways; aromatherapy massage oil is one of them. In this article we are going to discuss in detail all the significant facts about aromatherapy massage oil. Some uses of essential oils in the ancient times were for conducting rites and rituals, usually sacramental purposes. However, the therapeutic cure was never overlooked in those times also. These days, one can find aromatherapy massage oil in homes, as it is used to treat common cold, cough and for allergies, as well. A number of spas offer aromatherapy massage oil also offer an aromatherapy massage, with essential oils. Each and every essential oil comprise of a distinct benefit. For a desirable effect you must be completely aware of individual benefits of the oils. It is used in hospitals to alleviate the pain and accelerate the healing process of sports person, cancer patients and so on.   Aromatherapy massage oil works most effectively on stress, with which a major part of our world’s population suffers from. A simple massage of aromatherapy oil can relieve your nervous system, improves blood circulation, inculcates new energy and makes you feel relaxed. It will definitely boost up your stamina to fight a number of diseases. Aromatherapy massage oils are used for cosmetics purposes, as well. Some of aromatherapy massage oil act as a perfect cleanser and leaves your skin clearer. It has surpassed the commercial cosmetics, available in the market. There are a large number of fragrances present in the market; you are free to choose the one you like. If you have any confusion regarding any oil, you better go for counsel with some professional. Or else, you can research on your own by paying a visit to library; take up some book having contents of benefits of separate aromatherapy massage oil. But, if you find all this too time consuming, then you can certainly go for online sources. Aromatherapy massage oils are available in the nearby retail shop. By: miabilkins Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Mia Bilkins is working with the New Directions AU. He has also been involved in research on plants and oils for a long time. To find aromatherapy massage oil, botanical skin care products, floral water, raw materials, recipes, bottles, caps, accessories, wellbeing you need to visit www.newdirections.com.au

Natural Remedies and Massage with Essential Oils

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Health Benefits Of Aromatherapy Massage

An aromatherapy massage combines the benefits of massage therapy with the use of essential oils. They can have many different effects on the mind, body and spirit, and make an aromatherapy massage an uplifting experience.

Aromatherapy is a great compliment to conventional medicine. It has been proven to reduce stress, arthritis, back and neck problems, headaches, sinus pressure, and other breathing and mechanical problems. You can also depend on aromatherapy massage to help skin disorders as well. You will find many benefits from a great massage using these oils.

Everyone should have at least one aromatherapy massage sometime in their life. You have the wonderful feeling of tense muscles becoming relaxed, while soothing or revitalizing massage oils are spread onto the body. The incredible aroma permeates the nostrils and goes straight to the brain.

With the proven effectiveness of aromatherapy oils, the body responds amazingly well to certain aromatic compounds, due to the volatile nature of the oils. When inhaled, for example, some preparations create a relaxation response that can reduce physical as well as mental stress. Some oils are also absorbed by the skin and can enhance the overall effect achieved by the fragrance.

Always make sure that you are using a diluted blend of aromatherapy oils. There are numerous recipes available that can help you achieve an appropriate aromatherapy massage blend. A basic aromatherapy massage oil recipes; however, includes mixing 15 or so drops of essential oils of your choice with one ounce of carrier oil, like sweet almond oil.

Aromatherapy massage is used by the medical field in many different ways. It helps Cancer patients deal with pain and relaxes the body and mind. Sports medicine uses it for massage and relaxation. Depression patients use it to enhance moods and energize. Everyone seems to have some form of aromatherapy in one or more products in their home. There are so many products you can buy now and find aromatherapy ingredients that it contains.

To prepare essential oils for a aromatherapy massage, they should be combined with a carrier oil such as grapeseed or sweet almond oil. The oils that you use will depend on how you are feeling, what you are looking to accomplish or what ailment that you are trying to treat. If you are feeling sad, or stressed, lavender oil is a good essential oil to use. If you need to treat tired and sore muscles, then you may opt for peppermint oil.

You do not need to use very much of the oils to achieve great results. Essential oils are extremely concentrated forms and they do need to be diluted before using them. You will only need to add between 2 to 10 drops of the oils to your application methods, massage oils, lotions, candles, diffusers, bath water, etc. You may even hold your head over a steaming bowl of water or create a tent effect with a towel. Simply inhale the fumes.

By: Hutch Peter

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Read about Herbal Remedies. Also read about Liver Disease and Liver Disorder

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Practical Aromatherapy: Using Antiseptic Essential Oils At Home

The anti-bacterial action of essential oils may be their most studied effect, in-part because these are simple experiments to perform. Place a piece of filter paper saturated with an essential oil in the center of a petri dish and watch the growth, or lack of, bacteria around the paper. The larger the area where bacteria do not grow, the stronger the action of that particular essential oil inhibiting that particular strain of microbe. This test, known as an Aromatogram, was popularized by French scientist Paul Belaiche. Through extensive research, large tables of data now allow aromatherapists to quickly find the most efficacious oils once the infecting species of bacteria is known. But you don’t have to be a scientist to make use of this information – there are many simple, effective means for using essential remedies for yourself and your family and children as part of a holistic natural health program for your household.

It turns out that nature has been doing a remarkable job of therapeutic blending of essential oils as antiseptics. Plants have evolved these volatile chemical mixtures called essential oils in-part as defense mechanisms against bacteria, viruses and fungi. The antiseptic properties of the oils provide the plant with protection from disease and microscopic invaders. We have significant advantages in using oils for our own microbial defense as humans: The defense mechanisms of plants have been evolving throughout history; these mechanisms are up-to-date with the evolution of the microbes being defended against. Combinations of chemical constituents found in essential oils have been shown in laboratory studies to be some of the most potent antibacterial agents available today.

Research exists describing the effective, broad-spectrum of antimicrobial action from essential oils, yet it is important to select the right oils in the right amounts. Topical application of Oregano may be the best solution for a case of stubborn nail fungus, yet this is far too intense for use on soft tissue of any kind, particularly for children. Often, home made formuals of a potent antiseptic with a known soothing oil can improve the overall effectiveness. Here we will briefly profile these highly-regarded oils, and look at some recipes and methods of application: Tea Tree (Maleluca alternafolia), Lavender (Lavendula angistifolia), Oregano (Oregano vulgar), Geranium (Geranium asperum) and Lemon. (Citrus limon).

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifola) is known throughout the world for its protective properties against infections, and may be the hands-down most popular antiseptic essential oil. The leaves have been used for centuries to heal wounds and skin infections, and with ten times the antiseptic power of phenol (a benchmark chemical used in studying antimicrobial action) Tea Tree is a must for every natural first aid kit. One of the safest and most effective ways of controlling minor infections is the immediate intervention action of Tea Tree. For minor ears, nose, throat, respiratory and general skin infections, Tea Tree essential oil will give quick healing support. Tea tree’s tolerability allows it to be used for longer periods of time without the slightest irritation. A drop on a Band-Aid can keep the reddening indication of infection from children’s cuts and scrapes, and when combined with Lavender, makes a soothing rendition of Grandma’s healing tincture.

Often called ‘medicine chest in a bottle’ Lavender is the most versatile aromatic oil in use today. An antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic, Lavender is helpful in the healing of small burns, cuts and insect bites. The cooling aroma disperses heat and inflammation and brings relief from pain, spasms, and general unrest. With its calming and balancing properties, Lavender is very supportive of deep sleep; as noted in ‘Clinical Aromatherapy’, studies indicate that the aroma of Lavender enabled better rest than common sleeping pills with no side effects. Interestingly, Lavender imparts this action in healing wounds as well. For healing unbroken skin such as burns, apply Lavender ‘neat’ to the wound several times a day; insect bites also get a ‘neat’ treatment. For cuts and scrapes, keep a 50/50 blend of Lavender and Tea Tree on hand for the best all-purpose antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving solution.

When more serious antibacterial action is necessary, natural medicine professionals turn to Oregano essential oil. Oregano’s use in day-to-day applications are relatively limited due to its extreme potency – it should not be used topically except under the advice of a qualified practitioner, and then only in low dilutions for a limited period of time. Oregano is being studied extensively, however, for its potential use as a natural, effective antibiotic – particularly as many dangerous bacteria become resistant to pharmaceutical preparations. Oregano capsules are available at many health-food stores, and may be of use for systemic infections such as of the candida fungus or other bacteria; if you feel you or a family member could benefit from such immune system support, consult a qualified medical professional for advice.

Also a highly-regarded antimicrobial, but with gentler action and scent, Geranium essential oil is a very worthwhile addition to the home medicine chest. Geranium has exceptional healing properties for the skin, creating balance between oily and dry states, and is useful for both over-oily and over-dry conditions. A non-drying, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and general tonic, Geranium is described in the aromatherapy literature as a cure for acne, general dermatitis and eczema. Geranium essential oil is one of the few that has been used successfully against the MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) bacteria in laboratory studies (see Pub Med for research abstracts on this suject). Geranium may also be used as a local antiseptic for small wounds; there are many Geranium varieties available, though the oil produced in Egypt may be the most potent antimicrobial, with a brilliant sweet and herbaceous aroma accompanying its healing effects.

Lemon essential oil is a powerful antiseptic and bactericide that performs many tasks around the house, as well as for your health. Lemon has a tonic action on the lymphatic system and a stimulating action on the digestive system, additionally providing relief from insect bites and tension headaches. Use this pleasant antimicrobial blend with confidence to clean counter tops, windows, and door handles: 2 drops each of Lemon, Pine, and Eucalyptus Radiata essential oils in 4 ounces of distilled or spring water (distilled water dries without leaving haze from mineral deposits). Keep a spray bottle of this solution handy for your day-to-day cleaning.

These are but a sampling of the antiseptic and antimicrobial essential oils available. They are easy to use, and offer a excellent means of bringing natural medicines and cleaners into your life. Many oils have specific action against certain microbes; if you or a friend or loved one needs more directed treatment, seek the advice of a licensed or degreed natural health professional, and consult a doctor to ensure the safety of any complimentary essential oil application. The acceptance of essential oils as valid medicines continues to grow. If you’re new to the field, dive in with some of the suggestions here – you’re sure to enjoy these great gifts of nature.

By: Robert W. Stevens

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The author is a natural health practitioner in Boulder, Colorado. They are a regular user of pure therapeutic essential oils and consultant to aromatherapy creations at Ananda Aromatherapy, www.anandaapothecary.com.

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Modern Aromatherapy: Beyond Just Smelling Nice

What, really, is Aromatherapy? In the United States, common use of the term ‘Aromatherapy’ is a bit misleading. The practice has been given a ‘touchy-feely’, ‘soft-science’ status to the general public through mainstream media. In much of the rest of the world, however, the therapeuatic use of aromatic essential oils has a more elevated, scientifically-backed status. In France, for example, one can only purchase essential oils through a licenced Aromatherapist; this is due to the well-known, powerful interaction of essential oils and the human physiology.

The word ‘aromatherapie’ was first used in 1937 by the French cosmetic scientist Rene Maurice Gattefosse after accidentally discovering Lavender oil’s healing effects on burns he sustained in his lab. He was so impressed by the oils medicinal actions, he wrote a book it that began the modern aroma-’therapy’ revolution. Medicinal use of essential oils is widely accepted in France today, where one can receive a prescription for a blend from their doctor, and have it filled as we do with pharmaceuticals here. Using natural scents for uplifting the emotions is just the tip of the iceberg; Aromatherapy includes the entire branch of medicine using volatile (easily evaporated) aromatic compounds naturally occurring in plants. Many physicians and scientists believe the psycho-emotional actions through oils’ inhalation to not be their most important medicinal action. Beyond acting on through the olfactory senses, essential oils have been shown to have effects ranging from broad spectrum anti-microbials and anti-virals to inflammation reducers and even tissue regenerative properties.

Essential oils effects on the nervous system and psyche through the olfactory sense is not to be discounted, however. Studies have shown repeatable results in essential oils’ ability to lift the spirits and sharpen the attention. Students inhaling Lemon and Rosemary essential oils while studying have scored better on tests; other subjects have slept better while inhaling Lavender (one article proclaimed these results with "Lavender Works Better than Benzodiazepines!"). The ‘aromatic’ effect of essential oils is a result of the intimate wiring of the smell sense with certain control systems of the brain. It is the only one of the five senses directly attached to the brain itself; other sense signals are first received by the thalamus. This direct connection has powerful implications for physiological as well as psychological effects.

The olfactory sense is closely tied to the limbic system, which is the center of emotions, plays a significant part in the formation of memories, and affects our sexual responses. The olfactory region also connects to the hypothalamus, which in-turn controls the entire hormonal system through it’s influence of the pituitary gland. One can easily imagine an olfactory sense receptor being stimulated by the mist of an essential oil resulting in downstream stimulation of the brain in a certain way – stimulating, sedating, relaxing, or otherwise – depending on the molecular form of the oil.

Though we shouldn’t get distracted by the wonderful possibilities of aromas! The medicinal actions of therapeutic grade oils go far beyond those induced through the olfactory system. Medical aromatherapy includes topical application, oral ingestion and natural suppository use of aromatic oils as well. Their chemical structures are of a ‘lipophilic’ (fat-friendly) nature, passing through cell walls and tissue membranes without difficulty. They are easily absorbed and well tolerated, for the most part, in small amounts. Essential oils are not cure-alls however, or placebo-effect-inducing nice smells – they are potent plant medicines, each with significantly different actions. Oregano oil is one of the most broad spectrum anti-microbials known; it has been widely studied as supportive for the human immune system to defend itself against bacteria – Oregano is also a potent irritant to the skin and requires experience for correct application. Melissa oil has been hailed as a cure for Herpes Simplex virus infections by German researchers. Ginger oil has brought relief to sufferer’s of motion sickness, rheumatoid arthritis and intestinal parasites – but not to those with the Herpes virus. The list goes on; the take-home message is that oils CAN be effective if used properly, and improper use can not only be ineffective but even dangerous. That doesn’t mean essential oils are something to be afraid of – they deserve the respect given to any powerful medicine. Consult a qualified professional for ANY serious condition, and consider using essential oils if and when appropriate.

Embracing essential oils as medical therapies will likely not happen for some time in North America. There is a lack of knowledge within the established medical community, and qualified aromatherapists are fairly rare, as of yet. With the growing body of evidence validating the efficacy of natural medicines, however, and the failing confidence in our allopathic medical institutions, it may not be long until essential oils find their rightful place in our medicine chests. In the meantime, be cautious, have fun, and do stop and smell the roses, and lavenders, patchoulis, sandalwoods, and all the other great aromatherapies available to you!

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The author is a consultant to Synergy Essential Oils and Ananda Aromatherapy, offering fine therapeutic grade essential oils and aromatherapy supplies.

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Aromatherapy Benefits – What Using Therapeutic-grade Essential Oils Can Do For You

Aromatherapy is far more than just the smell. While most people’s concept of aromatherapy is something more akin to recreational fragrancing, essential oils can have a powerful effect on your health – emotionally, mentally and physically.

In the following discussion, I will break down the benefits of aromatherapy in terms the fragrance, chemistry and frequency of an essential oil.

Aromatic influences of essential oils:

The fragrance of an essential oil comes from its chemistry. Even a relatively simple essential oil is an intricate mosaic of many chemical constituents, each providing important contributions to the whole. And, this fragrance can directly affect every aspect of your life, from your emotional state to your lifespan.

When you breathe in the fragrance of an oil, its aromatic molecules travel up the nose and are gathered in the olfactory membranes. These are lined with the olfactory epithelium, consisting of hundreds of millions of nerve cells. Each molecule of an essential oil fits like a key in a lock in specific receptor cell sites located in this olfactory epithelium, and when specific aromatic molecules stimulate these receptor cells, electrical impulses are stimulated and pass to the olfactory bulb, located in the base of the brain. These impulses are then transmitted to the limbic system, which includes:

— The hypothalamus, the hormone control center, governing the production of growth hormones, sex hormones, thyroid hormones and neurotransmitters,
— The amygdala, where emotional memories are stored,

and other parts of the limbic system that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone balance.

Because of this ‘hot wire’ connection, simply breathing in the fragrance of an essential oil can trigger an immediate response – from relaxing away stress and anxiety, lifting your mood or releasing emotional trauma, to calming the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, releasing specific hormones or neurotransmitters, or making you feel alert, invigorated and mentally sharp.

In this way, the fragrance of essential oils can have a profound effect on every part of your well-being.

The chemistry of essential oils:

As noted above, even a simple oil is not simple. It may contain anywhere from 80 to several hundred chemical constituents. Some 2,000 of these aromatic substances have been identified, along with their therapeutic actions.

Some of these aromatic molecules are highly anti-viral, anti-bacterial or anti-fungal. Others are powerful cancer-fighting agents. Some have hormone-like properties; others are highly anti-inflammatory. Whether used ‘neat’ or diluted in massage oils, lotions or salves, for virtually any therapeutic action needed, there are aromatic molecules that can provide it. Essential oils were, in fact, mankind’s first medicine.

But, what makes aromatherapy superior to other health modalities is the chemical complexity of the oils. Any one oil may contain several ‘conflicting’ therapeutic properties; meaning that an oil like lavender, for example, can be both relaxing and stimulating. Because of this chemical balance within the oil, the oils tend to have powerful balancing effects on the body.

By: IC

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Therapeutic-Grade.com provides more information about the powerful potential of aromatic molecules on your health, learn why you should diffuse therapeutic-grade essential oils. Aromatherapy and Fragrance: It’s more than just the smell!

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Take advantage of the power of nature, using a simple warm bath infused with ancient remedies – natural bath salts, essential aromatherapy oils, and candle light – to nurture, heal, and soothe your body, mind, and spirit.

Stress Relief and Relaxation with Natural Bath Salts and Aromatherapy Oils

The therapeutic qualities of seawater have been known for centuries. Hippocrates wrote about the healing affects it had on the injured hands of fishermen. The seawater reduced infection, and patients treated with seawater found that it also promoted pain relief.

Seawater is salty, and when the water is removed, we get these natural seawater ingredients in concentrated form – we call it ‘sea salt’.

Not All Bath Salts Are The Same

Chemical companies start with sea salt as a raw ingredient to make other chemicals. They remove ‘impurities’ – other minerals and dried sea plants – from sea salt, refining the salt and removing important components along the way. At some point, after many important minerals have already been removed, they package it and sell it. They call it ‘bath salt’.

As minerals are removed from sea salt, the salt becomes more refined. Nearly 80 minerals are removed from sea salt to create other products. Each step along the way, minerals of natural sea salt are removed until only one is left – a pure crystal of sodium chloride.

This final crystal happens to be white and tastes salty, and we call it ‘table salt’.

The reason table salt is not used for baths is simply because it is so concentrated; it is very harsh to our skin.

(For these same reasons, table salt is also harsh inside our bodies, containing almost none of the nutrients we used to get from real salt. That is why we should buy sea salt to flavor our food, as well – all the ingredients we need for health are still there!)

The Best Bath Salts (and food salts) are All-Natural!

Natural sea salts come in a variety of colors – gray, brown, green, pink and other colors. These colors come from the minerals and other ingredients in that particular sea as the water evaporated over the centuries.

The natural buffers and other minerals contained sea salts allow us to feel the gentle ‘balance of the sea’, and the softness of warm bath water with sea salts is good for our skin.

One of the best sources of natural bath salts is the Bay of Brittany, France. This area is well known for its great wealth of algae, plankton, and rich sea life. Salt in this area is sun dried and hand harvested by the Celtic people, using ages-old harvesting methods that preserve the vital elements.

This salt is rich in 84 vital minerals, organic iodine compounds, microscopic algae and phytoplankton, and other trace elements. These natural salts are beneficial to us in ways we don’t understand and cannot measure. They are simply good for us.

Sea salt, when added to bath water, is like a seawater kit!

Sea salts in a bath create an effective therapy for many skin problems. People with psoriasis, eczema and other dry skin conditions can benefit from warm seawater therapy. Acne can improve with this as well – baths of sea salt help clean pores and detoxify the body.

(Detoxify means, the minerals in the sea salt bath pulls the waste materials out of the pores – such as the salty-sweaty stuff that we eliminate through the skin during the day – and the bath salts neutralize these things, leaving your skin fresh and really clean.)

In other words, a sea salt bath creates an environment that can help remove waste materials from the body, a comfortable and soothing way to detoxify our bodies.

And when natural herbs and essential aromatherapy oils are added, a bath with sea salts can improve our sense of well-being, too!

A Recipe For Relaxing

Start with natural sea salts from the Bay of Brittany. Add natural plant-based aromatherapy oils – use fragrances from essential oils of eucalyptus, cyprus, and peppermint. Sprinkle in organic herbal extracts of chamomile and calendula. Mix this in a warm tub, light a candle or two, turn off the lights, and climb in.

Then, just soak, relax, and breathe. Seawater from natural bath salts with herbal aromatherapy oils. Speak quietly to yourself, out loud, with some positive language. Say things like "I am okay", and "It is all good". Positive affirmations can be very helpful.

Imagine how this could improve your life, just doing this simple routine for yourself, on a regular basis!

Take advantage of the power of nature, a simple warm bath infused with ancient remedies – seawater, aromatherapy, and candle light – to nurture, heal, and soothe your body, mind, and spirit.

You are worth it!

Dr. McIntosh has had a wellness-based practice for 30 years. He and Lisa, his wife, live in Las Vegas. They teach women a safe, natural approach to osteoporosis, showing women how to stop and reverse bone loss without drugs. They teach women how to use simple, natural methods and products such as natural herbal soaps, aromatherapy oils, and bath salts to reconnect with themselves for better health and wellness.

By Martin McIntosh Published: 12/11/2006

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