New to Essential Oils?

If your answer is Yes?  You may be surprised to find that something you smell can make changes to your psyche, activate your immune system, nourish your skin and even help you become more spiritually in tune.

Whenever I make these claims people look at me in skeptically and yet only in the last month I used one of my blends in a public place to help someone overcome their anxiety.

Before I get to the oils, think about your everyday use of things that contain synthetic chemicals e.g. shower gel, face wash, mouthwash, face cream, cleaning chemical the list is endless.  What if I told you can use only natural chemicals on your body?

Whether you are surprised or are still a bit wary, consider the fact that every society on earth, at one time used plants for healing purposes. Now imagine the power of plants in a concentrated form.  Essential oils come from the extraction of the essence of a plant’s leaves, roots, stems, seeds or bark. Mainly through steam distillation.  The concentrated form makes the plant essences very powerful, strong and volatile

Being volatile means that that the tiny organic molecules change their state from liquid to gas, when at room temperature, very quickly. Inhalation of (the aroma from) these molecules acts on the brain. They are also able to penetrate the skin.

Individual plants are made up of various chemical components that have different effects. Aromatherapists refer to this as the properties of that oil e.g. antiseptic, antiviral etc. Here are two examples of the chemical components contained in a few oils, and their properties. This is the technical bit.

Most people have heard of Citronella, but did you know that plants such as Rose, Lemongrass, Tagetes, Neroli, Chamomile, Basil and Lavender all contain a chemical compound known as Citronellol. The compound is antimicrobial, antifungal, antispasmodic and anticonvulsant. This means that any essential oil containing citronellol has a certain amount these properties.

Not so well know is another compound called Alpha-pinene (or a-pinene). This is found in plants such as Rosemary, Frankincense, Cypress, Juniper Berry, and Helichrysum and Wild Orange.  This chemical gives the oil a great aroma. It dilates the airways and increases airflow to the lungs (bronchodilator).  The reality is that the chemical makeup of most oils is very complex and diverse, often having over 40 different chemical compounds.

I think you are getting the picture. It is plant chemistry. Aromatherapy is about understanding the oils and their chemistry and blending them to get the best effect for the issue to be addressed, whether it is for the mind, body or soul.

You don’t need to get technical, I can do the blending for you. I love blending. I love seeing the results even more.

NOTE: This does not mean there isn’t a place for conventional medicine (synthetic chemicals). They should compliment each other.