| Essential oils provide a wonderful natural-medicine | | | | Oil #6: Geranium |
| alternative to common ailments we see at home. Their | | | | Geranium (sometimes known as 'Geranium Rose') |
| actions are broad and diverse, ranging from topical | | | | works wonderfully on both physiological and |
| antiseptics and anti-inflammatories to analgesics, | | | | psychological levels. It's floral aroma is brightening and |
| digestive system tonics, and anti-depressants. While | | | | uplifting, while also working as a sedative. Malte Hozzel |
| essential oils should not be a substitute for professional | | | | has made this statement regarding this oil: "Geranium's |
| medical care, they can be successfully employed for | | | | vital, sensual presence is not subtle, but direct & |
| many minor complaints, and as adjuncts to other | | | | unavoidable, making it one of the oils of choice for |
| therapies. | | | | aphrodisiac qualities. (Geranium Essential Oil) inspires |
| Here we will have a brief look at ten essential oils | | | | natural beauty & enjoyment, uplifts instantly & "tonifies" |
| considered by some to comprise the 'basic home care | | | | the mind & intellect in a powerful, nearly demanding |
| kit'. While by no means exhaustive, this list will go a long | | | | attitude. Mobilizing hidden creative & emotional |
| way to providing effective (and often pleasant!) | | | | reserves, helping us to rise to our own earthly & |
| treatments for you and your family for things like cuts | | | | spiritual identify. A fiery beauty for the spells of all |
| and scrapes, sunburn, digestive troubles, stress related | | | | worlds." Particularly noted for it's effect on female |
| conditions and more. In the second article, we will | | | | physiologic conditions, Geranium oil can be effective for |
| cover specific applications and uses of each oil. | | | | menopausal problems, uterine and breast complaints. |
| Oil #1: Lavender | | | | Oil #7: Rosemary |
| Lavender has often been called the 'medicine chest in | | | | Rosemary essential oil is an effective physical and |
| a bottle' for its broad range of applications. Every | | | | mental stimulant, whether used in a diffuser or in a |
| home should keep Lavender on hand, even if no other | | | | morning bath. It's slightly spicy, rather than floral aroma, |
| oil is used, as it is so very effective on burns. It's | | | | has a warming effect particularly useful for arthritic |
| anti-inflammatory action is responsible for the | | | | joints and other muscular complaints. It also has a long |
| beginnings of modern aromatherapy, as Dr. Jean | | | | history of treatment for colds and flu - Rosemary was |
| Valnet discovered Lavender's healing properties after | | | | a component of 'Four Thieves Vinegar', which robbers |
| being burned in a laboratory accident. Lavender is | | | | rubbed upon their bodies to prevent infection when up |
| considered to speed wound healing and reduce | | | | to no good during the plague years of the middle ages. |
| scarring. The oil is also pleasantly calming, and can be | | | | Also, Rosemary is the essential oil most often |
| used to reduce stress in a variety of situations - a | | | | associated with improving hair growth in cases of |
| commonly used technique is to apply Lavender oil | | | | Alopecia. |
| 'neat' (undiluted) to the soles of the feet of patients | | | | Oil #8: Thyme |
| recovering from almost any ailment. | | | | Thyme oil is a powerful antiviral, antibiotic, antiseptic and |
| Oil #2: Tea Tree | | | | diuretic, though it should be employed with great care. |
| When first examined for it's antiseptic properties, Tea | | | | There are many types of Thyme oil available, but only |
| Tree essential oil was found to be 100 times more | | | | the 'linalol' chemotype is appropriate for use with |
| powerful than carbolic acid - the medical standard at | | | | children; all varieties should be diluted prior to topical |
| the time. Tea tree has an extremely broad range of | | | | application. Given the precautions, Thyme can be a |
| antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties that have | | | | first line of defense in cases of flu, being used in a |
| been confirmed by modern scientific research. Often | | | | room diffuser. It also supports elimination of toxic |
| used topically on small wounds, Tea Tree is also | | | | wastes from the body (particularly noted for |
| commonly found in oral hygiene preparations, and can | | | | excessive uric acid), and it's warming quality can |
| also be effectively employed for Candida, athlete's | | | | eliminate mucous and phlegm. It's application for the |
| foot and acne, among other things. | | | | digestive system is that of a powerful anti-parasitic, |
| Oil #3: Peppermint | | | | and for the muscular system, it can be helpful for |
| An excellent digestive tonic, Peppermint essential oil | | | | rheumatic aches and pains. Thyme oil may also be |
| can sooth many stomach complaints. For the traveler, | | | | supportive in cases of hair loss. |
| it's effectiveness on calming motion sickness can be | | | | Oil #9: Lemon |
| of great help. Further, at least eight controlled studies | | | | A recent study on test-taking college students showed |
| have shown Peppermint oil to be effective in reducing | | | | the diffusion of Lemon oil into a room improved test |
| symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a painful | | | | scores more than any other oil. In addition to it's |
| condition of the intestines. Beyond it's support of the | | | | mind-brightening qualities, it can also disinfect room air |
| digestive system, Peppermint is delightfully stimulating | | | | and act as a natural deodorant. Lemon has been |
| to the mind, brightening and sharpening mental focus. | | | | noted to support liver function, and is also commonly |
| Finally, Peppermint is considered by some to be a | | | | used to assist in weight loss and cellulite reduction. In |
| more effective insect repellent than citronella when | | | | blends, lemon adds a pleasant top note, and can |
| used on the body (rather than in the surrounding air). | | | | create a synergistic effect with other oils. Finally, |
| Oil #4: Chamomile | | | | Lemon oil is commonly used as both a fragrance and |
| Ah, the great tension reliever, Chamomile oil. This | | | | flavoring agent. |
| extremely gentle essential oil is useful for a wide | | | | Oil #10: Clove |
| variety of nervous conditions, and is often indicated for | | | | The power of Clove essential oil is noted upon the first |
| cases of stress in children (including teething and | | | | sensing of the aroma - it is quite strong, sharp and |
| general 'crankiness'). Rubbing into the solar plexus is a | | | | earthy. Clove oil has been found to be the strongest |
| commonly used application if that is where one tends | | | | anti-oxidant of any essential oil, and is a component of |
| to 'hold tension'. Chamomile essential oil is available in to | | | | 'longevity' formulas. It is also an extremely potent |
| varieties, German or Blue Chamomile and Roman | | | | antibacterial, effective against a broader range of |
| Chamomile. The Roman variety is most often used for | | | | microbes than any other oil except perhaps Oregano - |
| stress relief, whereas the German variety has the | | | | Clove oil has even been employed to sterilize surgical |
| added bonus of being an extremely effective | | | | instruments. Clove also has analgesic properties, and |
| anti-inflammatory. | | | | can be used to temporarily reduce the pain of |
| Oil #5: Eucalyptus | | | | toothache. Clove oil (or ground cloves) is also a |
| Another essential oil with a broad range of properties, | | | | component of Dr. Huda Clark's anti-parasite protocol, |
| Eucalyptus is most often used for respiratory | | | | helping eliminate parasites from one's digestive system. |
| conditions, being useful in clearing congestion with | | | | This is a very powerful oil which should be diluted to |
| coughs and colds. However, it's effects are certainly | | | | 1% or less for topical application. |
| not limited to the airways - because of it's broad range | | | | So, there we have a possible 'top ten' essential oils for |
| of effects, it has been called the aromatherapists | | | | the home medicine chest, a selection with an |
| 'designer oil'. Eucalyptus oil can cool the body in | | | | extremely broad range of uses for common ailments |
| Summer (or due to fever - use in a compress), and | | | | seen in a family setting. It is important to note that all |
| support the immune system in Winter. Diffusing | | | | essential oils are powerful, and they should be treated |
| Eucalyptus oil can kill most staphylococcus bacteria, | | | | with caution and respect. Always refer to a trusted |
| again being supportive of bronchial infections. It is | | | | source before making specific applications of any oil, |
| considered equally effective in cases of cystitis, | | | | as many can be irritating or possibly toxic if used |
| candida, and sunburn, to name a few, as well as being | | | | incorrectly. |
| an insect repellent. | | | | |