| The 7 Essential Oils | | | | tract to bring a fresh vitality to mind, body, and spirit. |
| 1. Lavender | | | | The oil has widespread application possibly because |
| 2. Geranium | | | | it's inexpensive. It's used liberally in aftershaves, |
| 3. Eucalyptus | | | | colognes, mouthwashes and household cleansers. Also |
| 4. Rosemary | | | | used for vapor rubs, skin blemishes, shampoos for |
| 5. Lemon | | | | oily hair and the list goes on and on. |
| 6. Cypress | | | | Rosemary: (Rosmarinus officinalis, 'camphor', 'cineol') |
| 7. Peppermint | | | | Rosemary's name is derived from rosmarinus rich |
| These are the main oils most frequently talked about | | | | means "dew of the sea'. It's cultivated worldwide, but |
| in magazine articles and books, and they are the | | | | France, Spain and Tunisia are the main essential oil |
| most readily available to purchase (often coming in | | | | producers. The scent is herbaceous, woody, sharp, |
| kits). There are hundreds of oils but these 7 are | | | | and camphor like. Again it's extracted by steam |
| among the most frequently used. | | | | distillation of the flowering tops. It should be a clear |
| Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) | | | | oil. |
| Any introduction to aromatherapy would begin with | | | | Some researchers think rosemary improves memory, |
| lavender oil. Simple and safe to use, it's beautiful in | | | | as Shakespeare's character says, "There's rosemary |
| our gardens. Blue-violet or deep-purple blossoms and | | | | for remembrance." It's a stimulant to the nervous |
| we've been using it for perfume and it's cleansing | | | | system that increases energy. It's also antiseptic, |
| properties since the Greeks and Roman period. | | | | calmative, tonic, and it can reduce the discomfort of |
| Lavender smells clean and fresh and permeates the | | | | nausea. Used in massage, the oil improves poor |
| air with wonderful aromas that stimulate and relax. | | | | circulation. |
| There are many varieties of lavender and the | | | | A few drops of rosemary oil taken with water are |
| offspring (produced from hybrids) are the most | | | | good for liver and gallbladder ailments. It increases the |
| versatile of essential oils. | | | | secretion of bile and decreases blood sugar levels. It |
| Lava re: "to wash". With a name taken from the | | | | also can discourage the build-up of acids in the joints |
| Latin word lavare, lavender is the premier oil for | | | | that lead to arthritis. |
| bathing, soothing, and disinfecting. An excellent choice | | | | Caution: Rosemary oil should not be used during |
| for hair, scalp and skin care. | | | | pregnancy. Rosemary should also be avoided by |
| Lavender is extracted by steam distillation of | | | | those with high blood pressure and anyone subject |
| flowering tops, and should be clear in color. I don't | | | | to seizures. |
| expect you to remember all the things that these oils | | | | Lemon:(Citrus limon) |
| can be used for but the list for lavender includes: | | | | Lemon oil, derived from the peel of the lemon, has a |
| antiseptic, analgesic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, | | | | fresh, clean scent that activates the body, and |
| decongestant, antidepressant, calmative, sedative, | | | | stimulates the central nervous system. This oil is |
| antibiotic, anti-infectious. May be used on children. | | | | created by cold expression of the fresh fruit peel, |
| Blending Lavender: | | | | and should be pale yellow with a greenish hue. Like |
| Lavender blends well with other oils such as geranium | | | | other citruses, the oil keeps only for a year unless |
| and rosemary. Blended with chamomile or rose, | | | | you prolong its life by storing it in a cool place or |
| lavender retains a very soft and gentle character. | | | | even the refrigerator. |
| Blend it with eucalyptus or geranium and stimulate | | | | Lemon is best known throughout the world as a |
| the immune system. We'll be talking about blending | | | | remedy that relieves fevers, sore throat, coughs and |
| oils later. That's the fascinating part of aromatherapy. | | | | indigestion. The massage oil can reduce inflammation |
| practicing and experimenting with blending. | | | | and works well at relaxing stiff muscles. |
| Geranium: (Pelargonium spp.) | | | | Caution: Lemon oil should not be used on the skin |
| Geranium oil is extracted by steam distillation from | | | | when going out in the sun to tan. Many people |
| the leaves and stalks of the scented geranium and | | | | develop a rash. |
| should be colorless to light green. Scented geranium is | | | | Cypress: (Cupressus sempervirens) |
| not the same plant as the pink and red geraniums | | | | Cypress oil is obtained from the green branches, |
| you have in your planters. Known as rose geranium | | | | leaves and nuts of the cypress. The oil is clear and |
| to herbalists, there are over 600 varieties. It has a | | | | has a spicy-sweet, woodsy scent. The oil is often |
| flowery rose, sweet aroma with some citrus smell | | | | used in men's products (cologne and aftershave). |
| and a suggestion of wood. The oil is antioxidant, | | | | Cypress can increase mental energy and |
| antiseptic and astringent, has been used in treating | | | | attentiveness by reducing drowsiness and irritability. A |
| wounds and ulcers. | | | | cypress oil bath is relaxing and refreshing. The |
| Aromatherapists sum up the reaction to rose | | | | astringent (drying) effect of cypress oil in |
| geranium as physically and emotionally "balancing." | | | | combination with hyssop oil can ease the suffering of |
| Most likely you'll start with using this oil in a refreshing | | | | hay fever. Cypress is excellent for smoothing |
| bath. It can be blended in all types of cosmetic | | | | transitions. Inhale the fragrance for strength and |
| preparations good for balancing both oily and dry | | | | comfort. |
| complexions and is helpful in acne treatment and | | | | Peppermint: (Mentha x piperita) |
| aging skin. | | | | Peppermint oil is distilled from the fresh leaves of the |
| Eucalyptus: (Eucalyptus globules) | | | | small perennial peppermint. The American states of |
| Native to Australia, eucalyptus are among the tallest | | | | Oregon, Washington, Montana and Indiana are major |
| trees in the entire world. There are more than 600 | | | | produces of peppermint oil. The oil should be clear to |
| species, the blue gum is the most widely cultivated | | | | pale yellow in color. It has a minty, fresh aroma as |
| but aromatherapists also use lemon eucalyptus for its | | | | we know from gum and candy and herbal teas. |
| lemony scent. Also extracted by steam distillation of | | | | Often used as a massage oil over the abdomen |
| the leaves and twigs, the oil should be clear to pale | | | | because it relaxes the muscle and aids in digestion. It |
| yellow in color. | | | | is a warming oil so it's found in most liniments used to |
| The scent of eucalyptus (as many of you know) is | | | | relieve muscle spasms. |
| pungent and camphor like. It's refreshing, penetrating, | | | | Caution: At first peppermint feels cooling, but watch |
| and stimulating aroma that enters into the respiratory | | | | out because if it's too strong it can burn. |