Six common Essential Oils in the Healing Cupboard of Aromatherapy
The Art of Aromatherapy works with the Olfactory System – the sense of smell, and the Integumentary System – the skin, and is an excellent means of providing a natural alternative to ease many common conditions. All of the herbs we are discussing here, are common and found in most kitchens used for additional flavoring in your favorite recipes.
However, the pure essential oils of these herbs are used quite differently in Aromatherapy. A plant’s scent is produced by its special oils – called essential oils. The essential oils are usually added to a carrier oil, When you practice aromatherapy, the only oils that should be used are all natural and 100% pure essential oils extracted from plants that have not been treated with chemical pesticides. We would like to advise you however, to please consult your health care professional for any questions or concerns with your health.
The first herb’s essential oil is Sweet Bay, and has a lively spicy scent. Sweet Bay is used in Aromatherapy to relax tight muscles, soothe sprains, lessen pain, to calm, promote restful sleep, improve digestion, improve mental clarity and memory, as a disinfectant, repels insects and the vapors help breathing.
Clove is our next herb’s essential oil. It has a hot and spicy scent and is used to warm the body, relieve pain, lifts the mood, helps relieve fatigue, serves as a aphrodisiac, vapors help breathing, is a disinfectant and repels insects.
Fennel is our third herb’s essential oil and it has a strong licorice scent and is used for warming the body, relieves pain; it contains estrogen-like hormones, stimulates lactation in nursing mothers, helps to reduce cellulite deposits, has a purifying effect on the body and repels insects.
Ginger is our forth herb’s essential oil and has a spicy scent. It is used for warming the body, relaxing tight muscles, relieving pain, lifts the mood, and helps relieve fatigue, energizing and increases appetite.
Lemon is not an herb but is a common fruit and has a variety of uses in Aromatherapy. It is used to cool the body, depending on the amount used it can balance, calm or energize. Lemon lifts the mood, is refreshing, improves mental clarity and memory, helps reduce cellulite deposits, has a purifying effect on the body, stops bleeding from minor injuries, serves as a disinfectant and soothes insect bites.
Our last herb’s essential oil is Sage which has a spicy scent and is used to lessen pain, reduce lactation in nursing mothers, reduces perspiration, has a purifying effect on the body and serves as a disinfectant.
Most often these pure essential oils are combined according to an Aromatherapy formula and used in room sprays, lotions and massage oils for ease of use.
Often a drop or two of the pure essential oil can be added to a bath, which is especially good for any of the herbs that aid in relaxation.
If you have an interest in the use of Aromatherapy please contact a Certified Aromatherapist or consider purchasing pre-made products for the purpose you wish to use it for.
Disclaimer: The information contained within is not intended as medical advise nor intended to replace a relationship with a qualified health care professional. They are intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your own research and with a qualified health care professional.
