When you hear the word aromatherapy, you may think of your favorite scented candle, a nice perfume, or massage oils. Aromatherapy comes in many forms such as essential oils, flower waters, and salves. However, the word aromatherapy is misused quite often. A great number of the products making the claim of aromatherapy have a scent that is made with so many chemicals and synthetic oils that they are harmful instead of helpful. A tiny amount of natural oil mixed with chemical ingredients renders these products no more therapeutic than a smelly old shoe. However, there are a lot of uses for the real stuff: pure and natural essential oils.

A little history
When looking at the past uses of essential oils, or aromatic oils, a good place to start is with French perfume. This may seem strange as most perfume today is not made of essential oils and can be harmful. Essential oils used to be utilized in the making of delightful scent combinations. The fact that the workers who handled these oils were much less likely to contract cholera led to the speculation that these oils had some therapeutic benefits beyond their uplifting scent.
The actual word aromatherapy was first used by French Chemist Renee Gattefosse. By treating a serious burn received in a laboratory explosion with lavender essential oil, Gattefosse experienced rapid pain relief and minimal blistering. Another worthy mention is Jean Valnet who used essential oils during World War II to treat wounded soldiers.

How does it work?
Can we be so affected by a scent that it is considered “therapy?” I’m sure at some point you have felt either sick to your stomach from a bad smell or hungry from the scent of good food cooking. You probably find certain smells comforting and relaxing.
These reactions to smell can all be attributed to the limbic system in your brain. This system controls things like smell, emotion, behavior, and memory. There are many uses for essential oils, but the simple act of smelling them or the plants they are derived from can have positive effects on your health — both mental and physical.

How they are made
Essential oils are very concentrated. It takes many pounds, sometimes thousands of pounds, of a plant to get a very small bottle of essential oil. These oils are extracted either by steam distillation, cold pressure, or solvents. The quantity of material it takes to make an essential oil and how it is expressed from the plants partly depends on how much oil is contained in the material that is being extracted. For example, citrus fruit contain a larger amount of oil than rose petals, so a cold-press method is utilized to make it. Rose is one of the more precious oils at around $52 for one eighth of an ounce.

Usage
Some people find essential oils intimidating, but it is actually quite easy to use essential oils in your everyday life. The simplest way to reap the benefits of the oil is to simply open a bottle and breathe in the vapors. Taking long, deep breaths is best and I’m sure will bring a smile to your face as you feel the healing power wash through your lungs and stimulate your limbic system. Eucalyptus is my favorite essential oil for this method. Eucalyptus essential oil is also a very economical choice.
Cleaning is another fun, simple way to use an essential oil. An aromatherapy experience while you clean, what could be better? I always enjoy mopping my floors with eucalyptus. It just smells so fresh and clean and I really feel like my floors are disinfected. To use for mopping, put half a dropper full of the essential oil of choice in your bucket of water. I like to add a drop of liquid dish soap to keep the oil from floating on the top of the water.

You can experiment with different oil combinations for all your cleaning needs. I like using a combination of 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil, five to 10 drops grapefruit seed crush, 20 drops tea tree oil, one tablespoon white vinegar, 10 drops lavender essential oil, two cups water, and one teaspoon all-natural dish soap or any liquid soap (the soap is very import to keep the oils mixed together). I put all this in a plastic spray bottle and shake well . If I am out of a certain oil, I up the amount on one I do have on hand. So easy, so cheap, so clean. These simple recipes kill germs, help neutralize odors, and cut through grease.

I love this spray for my counter tops, appliances, toilets, cabinets, etc. It is very concentrated and cuts through grease so much better than commercial cleaners. If I have a really stuck-on food mess on my table or stove, I spray it down and let it sit for a minute or so before wiping the mess up with a wet rag.

Eucalyptus essential is more popularly known for its use in treating chest congestion and even asthma. Many people know eucalyptus is found in over-the-counter vapor rubs, but don’t be fooled into thinking those will do the same thing as pure natural eucalyptus oil. Not only are the other ingredients harmful, but you can’t adjust the amount of natural oil to your own personal needs. With a bottle of pure eucalyptus, you can use as much or as little as you feel brings you relief. If you really like the convenience of a rub, try Beeyoutiful’s all natural Winter Breeze vapor rub.

Other ways to use eucalyptus essential oil:
•Add as many or as few drops and you like to a hot bath. Start with a few and add more until you are satisfied. Just remember that it is very concentrated. What works for me is a little over half a dropper in a half full tub. Sometimes I enjoy using Beeyoutiful’s eucalyptus bath salts as the salt helps your skin absorb the oils. This remedy is great when you are feeling sick or just plain worn out.
•Add the eucalyptus essential oil to some olive or other cooking oil, using as much or little as you need. Rub the mixture on your chest, back, neck, and feet for wonderful healing. When rubbed on your feet nightly it can help rid you of foot fungus.
•You can fill your entire house with the healing power of essential oils by using a diffuser. There are a few different kinds to choose from. My diffuser of choice is an economical one, a simple oil burner. I prefer the soapstone burner, but there are many kinds to choose from. You can click the Mountain Rose Herbs link on my Web site to shop their selection of diffusers. All you have to do is fill the bowl on the burner halfway with the essential oil of your choice then light a tea light candle underneath. Keep lit in a safe area for about 20 minutes. That is all the time it takes to evaporate enough oil to fill a large room.

Safety
Because of the concentrated strength of essential oils, they can cause irritation and other problems when used improperly. Unless otherwise stated, do not ingest essential oils and do not use them undiluted on the skin. If you have any further questions about safety with essential oils, call the number listed in this newsletter.