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