Using Essential Oils for Healthy Living

Genuine essential oils are derived from plants. Genuine aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants, avoiding the use of synthetics, reconstructions, perfumes and other adulterated substances or techniques. Our plant world is very important and significant. Much of our world's population still depend upon medicinal plants for their primary healthcare. There is a percentage of modern drugs that have either been extracted from plants or are synthetically reproduced based upon isolated chemicals from plants. Humans and plants definitely have a crucial relationship with each other. Both humans and plants depend upon each other for daily survival. We need to show a deep appreciation toward the plant world. Why do certain plants provide essential oils? Plants need certain insects to pollinate over them. They attract these insects through the aroma or the scent, color, or physical structure. Bees, butterflies and beetles are attracted by the aroma of a plant, whic...

Aromatherapy is most definitely able to effect the body-mind-spirit of a man or woman. In this sense, aromatherapy is clearly a "holistic therapy," however, aromatherapy by itself does  not create whole health or wellness as human beings need to address their diets, exercise routines, stress levels, body work therapies such as strength building exercises and even take into consideration all potential genetic predispositions that could create illness or disease. Most definitely, Aromatherapy is a modality in which can be used to treat acute and/or chronic health conditions and it can be used as a preventative measure to various disorders. It is one aspect of holistic health and creating a status of well-being. As we integrate aromatherapy into other medical approaches, we can begin to support a deeper understanding of health as we also look at: the diet and nutrition exercise meditation or spiritual practices Taken as a whole these things all or in part may co...

As I continue my discussion on "what is Aromatherapy," my mind goes back to LONG TIME AGO, when the primitive humans first discovered that leaves, berries, roots and more made sick people better. Things found in nature was all these people had to eat and sometimes to make them better from sickness as well as to give them feelings of happiness or stimulation or excitement. There were no pharmacies carrying anything they could jus t run out and "buy." They had to be creative and make their own. As they looked around the earth for food and shelter, they also found ways to heal their bodies and minds using the plant life around them. Some even reported from those days have "spiritual" experiences using plants resources. They would rub or burn aromatic plant materials to treat themselves, friends and family members with diseases or ailments. What else could they do? They had to use what was around them. And what was around them was meant for them to ...

If you are going to use essential oils on your skin it is best to first dilute them in a carrier. Water is not a carrier for essential oils being applied to the skin. Carriers include: organic oil light lotion cream Below are some general dilution guidelines: 1% Dilution 1 oz (30 ml) — 5 to 6 drops 2 oz (60 ml) — 10 to 12 drops 2% Dilution 1 oz (30 ml) — 10 to 12 drops 2 oz (60 ml) — 20 to 24 drops 3% Dilution 1 oz (30 ml) — 15 to 18 drops 2 oz (60 ml) — 30 to 36 drops Below is how  you choose which dilution to use: 1% Dilution  — Use for children under 12, and seniors over 65, pregnant women and people with long-term illnesses or immune system disorders. A 1% dilution is also a good place to start with individuals who are generally sensitive to fragrances, chemicals or other environmental pollutants. 2% Dilution  — Use for general health supporting blends such as skin care, natural perfumes, bath...

Once you start incorporating essential oils into your daily routine you will begin to benefit greatly from the healing properties essential oils offer. The correct storage conditions is imperative for keeping your oils vibrant. Storage is actually easy. Just keep your oils tightly capped in a dark glass container, out of the sun, in a cool place. I store my oils in the refrigerator. When essential oils are stored cold, their shelf life increases. How can you tell if your oils have begun to oxidize? it will appear cloudy it will be thicker it will smell more acidic It is also important to note that different types of essential oils have different in general shelf lives. If your essential oil has been received shortly after distillation and the glass bottle is dark, kept full, closed, and cold a few generalizations can be made. The following oils will keep approximately 1 to 2 years from distillation: Distilled Lime ( Citrus aurantifolia ) Orange ( Citrus sine...

Have you noticed there is a Latin name for each plant listed for every oil? The importance here is that the Latin name identifies the exact type of essential oil in your bottle. Here is a short introduction to plant identification: The Latin name or botanical name is the most precise way to identify a particular plant. Many plants have several species. For example Lavender has many different species like angustifolia or latifolia. Each species of Lavender has different aromas and different therapeutic qualities. We can know which essential oil is in the bottle by what is written on the bottle. The label must include the Latin name so you can be sure from what species your Lavender comes from. The importance here is that different Lavender species have different chemical makeups and different therapeutic properties and safety considerations. The Latin name on your essential oil bottle is always Italicized.  Here  are some more common oils and their Latin names: ...

There are 3 main ways essential oils are extracted. They are: Steam Distillation Cold Pressing Solvent Extraction There is an enormous variety of aromatic plants to enchant us with delicious and enjoyable scents. It comes to no surprise to me that humans have figured out a way to extract these aromas along with a variety of an enormous amount of ways to use them for our pleasure as well as for good health and wellness. Did you ever think perhaps this is exactly what God meant for us to do with them? I think so.  Steam distillation is used for many flowers and leaves such as lavender, ylang ylang and peppermint and the rose. It is also used for tree oils like cedarwood. There are other methods. These three, (1) Steam Distillation; (2) Cold Pressing and (3) Solvent Extraction are the most common. Source: Aromahead Institute Join my Facebook group for more essential oil education