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Essential oils - or snake oil?
An essential oil is a liquid that is distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. They containg the true essence of whatever plant they come from. Because they are highly concentrated...a little goes a long way!! Essential oils really don't have an oily feeling at all. Most of them are clear, but some oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass are amber or yellow in color.
Therapeutic aromatherapy is the practice of using these essential oils as an alternative medicine for your health and well being. Aromatherapy affects you physically, emotionally and spiritually. Essential oils have anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties, and will affect your emotions and senses of being in a most
enjoyable way through your sense of smell.
A Bit of History...
According to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and Chinese manuscripts, priests and alchemists were using essential oils thousands of years ago to heal the sick. They are the oldest form of medicine and cosmetic known to man and were considered more valuable than gold to the ancients.The ancient Egyptians believed that the sense of smell and ability to detect odors was the most important of our sensory abilities. They considered the sense of smell far more important than sight or even the ability to think.Oils have been used throughout history. Our modern science is only now beginning to investigate the incredible healing energy found in essential oils. The penetrating characteristic of essential oils greatly enhances their ability to be effective. Essential oils will penetrate into the body when applied to the skin. An essential oil placed on the foot will be distributed to every cell in the body in 21 minutes! They will even penetrate a finger or toe nail to treat fungus underneath. (source: "History of Essential Oils" by Dennis Hauck
Get started!
This page is a great guide to use as a starter kit if you're unfamiliar with how to use essential oils. We carry all these oils at our store, and will be happy to give you some more personal guidance specific to your own situation and needs.
Want to "cook up" some more?
If you're ready to go beyond the basics (above) this is a wonderful resouce, containing recipes for using essential oils in aromatherapy, skincare, physical well-being and around the house.
Keeping them around:
All essential oils benefit from proper storage and handling. Although they don't go bad, they can oxidize, deteriorate and lose their therapeutic properties over time. Some oils will oxidize and begin to lose their aroma and beneficial properties in as little as six months. All of them should be stored in dark bottles, and kept in a cool, dry place. We'll be glad to help you out with supplies and suggestions when you come into the store!
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