Aroma Therapy
Essential oils are so much more than a means to disguise bad smells and aromas. With around 300 essential oils extractable from flowers, trees, leaves, roots, grasses and fruits, we have at our disposal an enormous natural source of medicinal therapy, cosmetic everyday household products.
Recognised and valued ingredients in medicines, food, drinks, cosmetics and perfumes for thousands of years, we continue to see essential oils used in our modern day products. It’s not fully understood how or why aromatherapy works to the extent that it does – I guess our scientists could struggled to explore and measure “aromas” given their invisible wafty nature – but having stood the test of time and having experienced for myself the healing, cleansing and soothing properties, I’d say essential oils belong in our lives.
Efficient and versatile
A single oil can have many different uses and applications. Take peppermint oil for example – very effective in treating nausea, inflammation, headaches, indigestion and flatulence. Used in cosmetic products for oily skin, in moths balls to deter moths and other insect repellants – a few drops in an unwelcome ant nest and they will leg it pronto. Impressively versatile.
Even more impressive is when you take a number of essential oils and blend them together in specific quantities to create a synergetic effect – that is to create an amplified potency and diversity of uses. It’s no wonder in the christmas story, 2 of the 3 wise men brought oils of frankincense and myrrh – seemingly having the foresight to cover the health risks of a young couple and a new born taking refuge in a mangey pub barn – both essences with antibacterial and antifungal qualities and notably used to help treat sores, wounds, fevers, coughs, colds, dermatitis, bronchitis, diarrhea, stress, nervous conditions and tension.
Natural resource
Could essential oils be our most ignored natural resource?
Synthesised from both sunlight and the soils’ nutrients – these pure plant sourced essences are in complete biochemical harmony with the human body and our natural environment.
They enter the body (through the skin, airways or orally) and leave the body (through sweat, breath, peepees and poos) leaving no residual toxins.
They have stood the test of time from as far back as 2000 BC, they are potent meaning a little goes a long way, easily sourced and cheap to buy.
Imagine if every household had a handle on the everyday applications from say 10 essential oils. There’d be a lot less chemical laden products kicking about our bathrooms, medicine cabinets, larders and garden sheds which in turn would make for a less toxic environment.
Frequent the Fragrant
There’s a fine art to working with essential oils – so do your research or stick to using already synergised blends in the recommended mode d’emploi.
Bec’s yoga classes will almost always be experienced with an aroma in the air – promoting deep breathing and adding a certain extra pleasure to your yoga experience. Try Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Rosemary or a synergetic blend.
Bec Loves de Mamiel altitude oil – I never leave home without this pocket elixir.
The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood is a great reference for a complete guide to aromatherapy and essential oils