How To Properly Store Your Essential Oils

How do you properly store your essential oils? Pure essential oils are a wonderful way to improve and maintain health, but these amazing gifts from nature can become much less potent and lose their therapeutic value if they're not stored properly. Understanding how to properly store your essential oils becomes easy when you know the three primary things that hurt them. Sunlight/UV, oxygen, and heat are the main threats to the potency of your oils.

The first step in properly storing your essential oils is to ensure that they are kept out of sunlight and away from strong UV sources such as sun lamps and tanning beds. Store all of your essential oils in dark amber or cobalt colored glass bottles with secure, screw-on tops and never place them on a window ledge or anywhere sunlight will shine on them. You should also consider placing your bottles in an opaque container for additional protection.

Next, ensure that your unused essential oils receive minimum exposure to air. While pure essential oils don't go rancid like some pure vegetable oils can, they can oxidize when exposed to air for too long, decreasing their potency and therapeutic benefit over time. When you're not actually dispensing an oil be sure to keep the bottle closed with a secure, screw-on top. While you are dispensing an oil, you should also take care to use an orifice reducer in the bottle. An orifice reducer is a small insert inside the mouth of the bottle that acts like a built-in dropper and reduces the flow of air into the bottle. Many essential oil producers supply the orifice reducer with their bottles but you can also purchase them from various suppliers if needed.

Lastly, make sure to store your essential oils away from heat. Most oils you use frequently will be fine at regular room temperatures but cooler is better since higher heat will accelerate the degradation of your essential oils. So, never store your essential oils near heating vents or appliances that give off heat when they operate and consider placing some of your oils in the refrigerator door...especially citrus oils and those in a larger bottle that will take longer to use. However, never freeze your oils.

Whether you're using essential oils to reduce stress, relieve pain, sleep more soundly, support your immune system or digestive system, pure essential oils that are properly stored can give you therapeutic benefits for a long time to come.  

Author Resource:- Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, and Essential Oil enthusiast in San Antonio, Texas. His successful private practice is dedicated to relieving pain through the use of several massage and bodywork techniques as well as the application of Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils. See his site MassageByBen.com

Why Coughing Can Be Healthy

Believe it or not, a cough is the body's way to protect itself and occurs in perfectly healthy people. Coughing is much like a sneeze in that it is not voluntary. There are two different classes of nerves, that have endings in the lungs, which are responsible for causing us to cough.

When a person coughs, their body is trying to get rid of irritants in the air passages. Mucus is oftentimes the reason that a cough starts. The body initiates a cough in order to clear the mucus out of the air passageways. Amazingly, a cough can force air at speeds up to three hundred miles per hour.

If a person is not a smoker and their X-rays are clear then a persistent cough usually means one of three things. Asthma, post nasal drip or heartburn. Less often, it can be because of chronic bronchitis or a side effect from prescription medicines. Coughing can also be caused by an infection in your upper respiratory tract, pneumonia, tuberculosis or acute bronchitis.

For those of us who smoke, a cough is not something that is so unusual. Most smokers have a cough, or 'smoker's cough', that is the bodys natural way of getting rid of the excess phlegm that smoking causes. It is important to make sure that you quit smoking as soon as possible, especially if you cough a lot. Children are the king of coughs because their immune systems have not built up many immunities and they get sick, quite often.

Coughing can also be caused when we eat. The food goes down the wrong pipe and the epiglottis does it's job by keeping the food out of the trachea.

If you have a cough that has been going on for days and continues to get worse then you should go see a doctor. They will need to make sure that you are not dealing with some type of disease. If your cough has lasted in excess of 3 weeks then you could be dealing with several different things. The doctor will be the one to figure it out.

If you are coughing chronically then there is a high chance that you are dealing with some sort of disease. You can always use OTC cough suppressants to tame the cough down but this is not necessarily a good idea. It shuts down your body's defense mechanism and does not allow it to properly expel the mucus from your airways.

If you are looking for a natural cough remedy then there are several choices, for you. Herbs have an advantage over artificial cough suppressants in that they are gentle and have the ability to loosen phlegm while not drying out the membranes. Hyssopus Officinalis and Althea Officinalis are both beneficial to the health of your respiratory system and will make you feel better by soothing your mucus membranes.

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Cert. Aromatherapist & natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Natural Holistic Health Blog which offers info on more natural home remedies & healing techniques for common health, emotional ailments & conditions at http://www.Natural-Holistic-Health.com/

The Use Of Essential Oils As Antiviral Treatment

Essential oils are volatile liquid plant materials which can be used for various purposes in the arenas of health and food production. One area that they are commonly used in is anti-viral treatment. These treatments target various ailments and physical problems. Some nations do not recognise the use of these essential oils (as part of aromatherapy), but others such as France, where aromatherapy began - and the United Kingdom (where the Queen herself is a big fan of the therapy) embrace these oils more.

Tea tree Oil is one very popular oil, used for its anti-sceptic properties. It is a native plant to New South Wales, Australia and although the smell is considered a very pleasant one, it is a very effective anti viral treatment. It has been used for skin problems such as acne. It is usually diluted, as pure Tea tree oil often causes bad reactions. It has been used against staphylococcus aureus and MRSA with some effect. A valuable member of the essential oils family.

Another of the most common essential oils is Lemongrass, which as well as being used a great deal in cooking (due to its fresh citrus like flavor) and in perfumes, is also used in aromatherapy. It is particularly good as an insect repellent, as it contains citronella, geraniol and citronellol - which have anti septic properties.

Sandalwood as well, has purported medicinal qualities - namely anti-viral. This essential oil is usually used in the manufacture of fragrances, but has been used by, for example, Buddhists who believe it maintains personal alertness. Sandal wood was used as an anti-septic up to the 1930s, but care had to be taken because of its strength - it has to be diluted with an appropriate carrier oil. It has been used for keeping skin clear of blackheads and spots.

Peppermint has been used to treat Irritable Bowl Syndrome - and only as recently as 2007 did Italian researchers find a way to help the condition with it successfully.

Another of the main essential oils is Ginger - or Jamaica Ginger as the medicinal form is known, has successfully been used to treat colic and dyspepsia. It is regarded as a safe medicine (on the FDA's safe list) as it does not have any negatives with any other drug, except Warfarin (used for thinning the blood). It has also been used to release bile from the gallbladder - important for those suffering with gallstones. It has also been involved in inconclusive tests related to reducing the pain caused by Arthritis. It is also effective against diarrhea - the leading cause of infant death in the developing world.

Thyme is an anti-septic too, having been used in bandages before more effective substances were found. This anti-septic quality is why it is the main ingredient in Listerine mouthwash. Tea made with thyme is effective against coughs and bronchitis. In its tea form, it can be used to reduce inflammation of the throat when gargled three times a day.

There are many essential oils which perform various antiseptic roles, some of which get placed under the heading 'aromatherapy', while others, it transpires, are used in many household medicinal products (albeit heavily processed) - such as Listerine (mentioned above). So the next time you have an ailment, why not check your garden for some essential oils.

Anna Stenning is an expert on essential oils having had many years of experience in the health sector. For more information visit http://www.neoils.com/

The Wonders Of Aromatherapy Massage Treatment

Aromatherapy massage treatment is a combination of two kinds of alternative medicine beliefs that have a solid basis regarding how effective they are. On their own, both aromatherapy and massage are quite effective as relief and treatment for various kinds of maladies and afflictions. As a whole, massage treatment, is doubly effective and can target not only specific conditions that can be treated but also alter the mood and atmosphere of a person.

The Concept Of Aromatherapy

In aromatherapy massage treatment, the masseuse usually uses aromatherapy oil in the massage treatment for effective massage therapy. In itself, aromatherapy is a belief that there are certain aromas, scents and smells that can alter the mood and state of a person. Some aromatherapy oils can even give relief or treat maladies and conditions that are quite difficult to cure with modern medicine.

Specific herbs, spices and other plant parts are used in making aromatherapy oil. As they are integrated into the oil, the elements that can give relief or treat maladies are also brought which is why aromatherapy massage treatment works best.

The Concept Of Massage

Massage in itself can give relief and treat many conditions and also alter the mood of a person. Some people say that massage is better at giving relief or broader at it than aromatherapy. In aromatherapy massage treatment, the oils work their cure or relief with the massage's own brand of relief and treatment.

Aromatherapy treatment helps to relieve physical and mental stress and conditions. Sore and over expended muscles can get relief from massage itself but the acting agent of relief to be found in botanicals and their extracts are a great help in relieving the tiredness as well. Mental stress and anxiety can be soothed by the scents and aromas that are inherent in aromatherapy massage treatments. Even in pressure point aromatherapy massage, where pressing the right pressure points count, there can be relief in using aromatherapy oils and scents.

Even when used in ordinary candle burners or aromatherapy diffusers, scents can still work to alter the mood. Aromatherapy massage treatment could also mean just burning aromatics in candle burners instead of using aromatherapy massage oils.

Overall, massage and aromatherapy enhance each other and work well together. A word of caution when one is sensitive to certain botanical and oils since allergic reactions may occur. Some oil bases of the aromatherapy oils can be from nuts which can be the cause of the allergic reaction.

For more information about aromatherapy please visit my Aromatherapy website at http://www.violetaromatherapy.com

Features of Fragrant Essential Oil of Lavender

By Brenda I. Minica

When you are looking for a popular essential oil with many uses you will find Lavender among the top competitors. This oil is obtained by distilling the violet-blue flowers of a particular species of lavender. Imagine a 100 pound bag of flowers... that's how much it takes to make just ONE pound of lavender essential oil! Lavender flowers are harvested for distillation in the summertime, when the plant is in full bloom and the essential oil is at its peak quantity.

Lavender oil has been popular for thousands of years, and has long been used in the production of perfume and skin care products. It has many enduring features including the ability to quickly be absorbed by the skin. There are many potential uses for this oil; it is a powerful antiseptic, and many more emotional and physical conditions can be alleviated by it. It's calming and peaceful fragrance makes it's use in aromatherapy a natural. It is gentle on the skin so it can be used without dilution. Lavender has a unique scent which is both soothing and encouraging. Lavender is extremely adaptable, mild, and gentle enough to use with adults all the way down to infants. Lavender essential oil with it's pleasing aroma is a multi-purpose powerful oil that should be in every home.

Lavender essential oil is: diuretic, detoxifying, relaxant, restorative, sedative, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, relaxing, analgesic, antidepressant, refreshing, antibiotic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, healing, and antiseptic.

Use Lavender oil to:

1) relax and improve sleep

2) soothe cuts, burns, scrapes, and other wounds

3) prevent and minimize scar tissue

4) dilute with a carrier oil and use for stress relief through massage

5) use as a fragrant bath oil for your health and relaxation

6) repel insects and mosquitoes

7) use it for a pleasant perfume

8) relieve headaches and migraines

9) help reduce high blood pressure

10) take the bite out of insect stings

11) refresh tired feet, muscles, and head

12) aid in restoring the body to balance

13) help alleviate panic attacks and anxiety

14) relieve muscle soreness

15) slow down wrinkles

16) heal, rejuvenate, and moisturize damaged and aging skin

17) relieve sunburns

18) calm, refresh, and lift the spirits

19) treat skin conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, and others

20) reduce sleeplessness

21) minimize and reduce hyperactivity

22) soothe inflammation and pain

23) help heal athlete's foot

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult a physician. The suggested uses only apply to the use of Therapeutic Grade Young Living Essential Oils. APPLY ONLY TO THE USE OF THERAPEUTIC GRADE, YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS.

About the Author:

Want to know how to buy essential oils? Just click the link or visit buyessentialoils.org for more articles on the highest quality Essential Oils.

Alternative Treatment for Anxiety: You Do Have Options That Work!

If you suffer from an overwhelming level of anxiety and unreasonable fear in response to certain situations, places or people, you are NOT alone. It is estimated that nearly one out of every four people will suffer from some sort of an anxiety or panic disorder during their lifetime.

The attacks that anxiety causes are an overwhelming experience to say the least and the concerns of side effects from drug treatment are certainly valid and not to be dismissed. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Your task will be to educate yourself about them. While the side effects of alternative treatment are rarely toxic or harmful, there are some concerns regarding interactions of herbs with any drugs you might be taking. Also, you will need to pinpoint what your needs are and see what might work best for you.

One of the most important steps to take in treating panic attacks is to rule out any underlying physical or medical conditions that could be contributing to the attacks. Once this is done, the next step would be to examine your diet and lifestyle. Sometimes dietary, exercise, and stress management changes go a long way toward helping deal with minor to moderate anxiety and panic disorders.

For reducing stress and overall tonic approaches to balancing your system, alternative medicine options such as aromatherapy, herbs, vitamin therapy, homeopathy, biofeedback, and EFT are just a few possibilities you can explore. The alternative therapies for anxiety are usually a lot more effective than taking the usual medications that are prescribed.

Some herbal remedies can treat anxiety safely and effectively and in some cases help eliminate the need for anxiety drugs if you are already taking them. Of course, discontinuing such drugs should be in consultation with your health care practitioner and it is always wise to slowly wean from a drug rather than stop taking it abruptly.

While drug therapy may be necessary for some, alternative approaches can help reduce the amount of medication needed and may lead to an eventual elimination of the drug from your treatment. Some people do experience concerning side effects with prescription drugs, which may require additional drugs to treat those side effects so alternative remedies and therapies may also help address these.

Therapy sessions and counseling may benefit some but they are costly and if you do not have good medical coverage you may find yourself paying out of pocket. If so, by all means look into alternative treatment. While you may need some amount of professional care and drug therapy, natural remedies can make a difference in the frequency of counseling and amount of drugs you take. As you improve and take control of your anxiety you may very well find that natural remedies and therapies are all you need.

Tired of suffering? You can cure anxiety and panic attacks with natural remedies that do not involve harmful medications. Get started with my free report available at http://www.clickherelearnnow.com/anxiety.html

Lower Your Stress with Aromatherapy's Proven Benefits

By Melinda Masters

It's taken some time, and some (maybe a LOT) of the Western medical establishment will still make fun, but aromatherapy has been officially validated by science. Not just the killing of microbes by Tea Tree, mind you, but the practice of 'aroma-therapy' - the inhalation of essential oil vapors to effect the psyche. Now we can all breathe an even hardier sigh of relief, knowing we're not crazy for thinking we feel better when inhaling Lavender oil, but stressed out lab rats feel better, too! The natural health and wellness movement gets one more feather in its cap. Yes, this may not be news to long-time practitioners, but this validation has important implications for a therapeutic environment where unnatural medicines currently dominate the landscape.

In recent years, more and more clinical and laboratory research is uncovering the efficacy of essential oils used for their anti-anxiety effects. Thankfully, the application of the oils in these studies is relatively simple: both the inhalation of aroma and the topical application have demonstrable therapeutic activity. These methods are easily replicated by the professional and aromatherapy enthusiast alike. The oils can be diffused an any diffuser (as the concentrations from high end nebulizers are not required for this practice), used in aromatherapy massage, or simply worn as natural perfume. Several readily available essential oils have statistically significant data to support their use in stress reduction - here's a look at some of the most often studied ones...

Lavender has been the most frequently studied of all the essential oils. Its anti-anxiety (or simply 'relaxing') action has been documented both in the laboratory (using stressed-out mice and rats) and in clinical environments with actual human beings. Many, many studies have reported the same thing: inhalation of lavender oil brings calm under a great variety of conditions. At least one study compared Lavender oil aroma to that of Juniper, Cypress, Geranium, Jasmine and Frankincense. It was only the Frankincense that had a somewhat similar effect, but not nearly as effective as Lavender. Several studies compared Lavender's effect to diazepam (Valium) with Lavender's aroma having similar (but likely more healthy) calming results. In other studies, Lavender has been shown to improve sleep, decrease conflict between animals, and reduce the amount of pain medication needed by recovering hospital patients.

Sandalwood oil is another well-known stress reducer. For those that may not enjoy the floral aroma of Lavender, Sandalwood could be the oil of choice. Its warm, earthy scent is grounding and centering, being used by some spiritual traditions to enhance relaxed, focused meditative states. The science shows similar results - Sandalwood oil topically applied relaxed the body while stimulating psyche. Studies on sleep/wake cycles using Sandalwood oil topically improved the quality of sleep and lessened waking episodes. A small study using Sandalwood suggested the oil may be helpful in reducing anxiety for palliative care patients. Beyond the scope of Western scientific inquiry, Sandalwood oils and pastes have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of psychological disorders, utilizing its sublime mental-health promoting actions.

While Sandalwood and Lavender have the most data to back them up, many other essential oils have had positive test results. Rose is a standout; it has also been tested alongside Valium (apparently the anti-anxiety gold standard) with better and longer-lasting results. The rose aroma's effect seem to increase over time, where as benzodiazepines' effect will tend to decrease - and the test subjects appeared less confused or sedated. Rose, like Lavender, reduced conflict between test subjects as well. For a little variety, you can mix Rose and Sandalwood together (try a 1:4 ratio)...this is a classic Indian aromatic blend combining two of the world's best known anti-anxiety scents.

Other oils found in research databases include Angelica, Chamomile, Lemon, Lemongrass, Tagetes and Ylang Ylang. Some oils tested didn't show repeatable results in the laboratory environment, but if you find and oil aroma that you find relaxing, it's more than likely not purely 'in your head'; the olfactory (smell) sense is the one of the five senses most directly wired to the brain's emotional centers. These are, in turn, directly wired to the autonomic nervous system controlling functions such as heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure - all of which are closely tied to one's level of stress.

So what to do with these stress relieving wonders? They're really easy to use - one of the great features of aromatherapy. Both topical application and inhalation show repeatable results in laboratory tests. A common method of topical application is to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil like Jojoba down to 10% or less. Essential oils tend to pass easily into the bloodstream when applied to the skin, so nearly any technique will do. A few drops of your mixture can be placed on the wrists and rubbed together (this is nice, as you'll smell the aroma as well). For inhalation, there's a great many aromatherapy diffusers available, from little, inexpensive plug in units, to professional models which make a cloud of pure, intense aroma. For anxiety relief, any model where you can smell the aroma will do the job - the higher end diffusers tend to bathe a larger area in your aroma of choice.

Choosing an oil for yourself (or helping your children / family / loved one's decide) is easy. What do you (or they) like to smell? One of the simplest yet most profound aspects of aromatherapy for the psyche is the legitimacy of individual of aroma preference. As uncovered by the laboratory studies, oils of greatly differing aromas can have similar anxiolytic action. While some people love flowery scents, others are drawn towards woods and resins. And it may be that someone who likes the relaxing/stimulating aroma of Rose needs that dual-effect; others loving Sandalwood might be better off with its centering/grounding action. In a word: experiment. Many companies will offer small sizes or even samples. Once you find one or more aromas that suit your needs, play with them - have fun! Whatever way you choose to indulge your senses, health, and wellness with essential oils...you can take comfort in knowing the science of aromatherapy is there to back you up.

About the Author:

More natural health information is available regarding Ananda Aromatherapy's essential oils and on the organic medicinal herb blog.

What You Need To Know About Aromatherapy

By Ferdinand Mekinsy

More recently, the field of aromatherapy has extended to the manufacturing of various products for the general household freshening or as bug repellent elements. Presently, essential oils are also generally used in the design of cosmetic commodities such as perfumes, soaps, facial toners and lotions; the natural components make the products a lot more reliable and safer to use.

Aromatherapy candles are suitable for the soothing of headaches, the calming of the irritated sinus or in the treatment of asthma and allergy symptoms. Moreover, natural fragrances have great tension and anxiety releasing properties with applications in every day life. The blends of essential oils are not restricted to the making of aromatherapy candles, they are also included in the composition of soaps, sprays, body lotions and bath salts. Simple natural treatments, this is the motto that best describes the extensive application of aromatherapy candles by people all over the world. How do aromatherapy candles work and how good are they for one's health?

The greatest applications for aromatherapy remedies are those that aim at improving nervous conditions like high irritability, sleeplessness, concentration deficiencies and the like. Depending on how severe the problem is, more or less intense aromatherapy remedies can be used but only at the recommendation of an expert. Thus, candles and herbal bath salts can improve the mood and allow one to develop the relaxation state necessary for a good night' rest. More severe conditions involve the controlled exposure to more complex aromatherapy remedies preferably in a therapeutic professional environment.

Mention must be made that aromatherapy for depression is very often misconstrued and conducted improperly or superficially. Using essential oils at home could be a true relief, however you should also consider the instructions or the recommendations of the therapist; the best results in the use of aromatherapy for depression treatment have been registered with the practice in an organized professional environment. Thus, the therapist has a direct control of the session and the exposure to more concentrated doses of volatile oils triggers a better response on the part of the nervous system. The inhalation of the extracts is often gradual and closely supervised so that no side effects may surface.

Aromatherapy soy candles are made of one hundred percent pure soy wax that ensures a clean-burning period without any dripping or soot formation. Quality aromatherapy soy candles include only herbal colorants, which implies that the shades of green, rose, yellow or blue are the result of mixing natural pigments extracted from various herbs. Nevertheless, the element that distinguishes these candles from scented products is the all natural presence of essential oils in the composition. Here are a few features of aromatherapy soy candles that you should consider before making a purchase; yet, the products will very much speak for themselves once you try them for yourself.

The processes for procuring essential oils are closely connected with the variety of aromatherapy recipes. Even when made from the same plant, the oils vary in terms of concentration and properties. To start from a basic example, keep in mind the fact that the essential oils can be extracted from blossoms, roots, wood or from the entire plant. The creation of the aromatherapy recipes is just the beginning of a process that starts with the distillation, the maceration, the pressing or the solvent extraction of the essential oils. The specificity of one recipe or another will therefore depend on the manufacturing of the essential oils too.

About the Author:

Learn More About Aromatherapy here Aromatherapy For Soothing Headache Also you can get general hintsand more articles on aromatherapy and alternative medicine here Online Solutions Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

Just What is Holistic Healing?

Holism is the idea that all the properties of a given system, whether chemical, biological, mental, economic, cannot be quantified by its component parts, but rather, the systems as a whole determines in an important way much the parts behave and interact with each other.

The principle of holism was first accurately summarized by Aristotle when he said, "the whole is greater than the sum if its parts." Holistic healing, therefore, operates in part on the theory that treating the whole body is better than treating any single symptom.

In the 1970s, holism, or holistic healing was becoming known as one way to work with psychosomatic phenomena, and now holistic healers seek to adopt a holistic approach to healing medical issues that go beyond the psychological to the physical.

The approach calls for an in-depth and honest evaluation of the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical elements of a patient, and treats the "whole person" in that context, believing all factors to be related and in keeping with the basic premise of Aristotle's declaration.

Today, there are many different branches of the holistic medicine world. The approaches include chiropractic, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathy, and reflexology, to name a few.

Most holistic approaches have little basis in traditionally accepted science, and therefore many practitioners feel the practice is poorly understood. Indeed, much miscommunication is attached as the holistic healers claim to act upon a central "vital force," "life force," or "qi" ("chi"). This claim alone puts the entire approach at odds with traditional science.

Taoism is a particular branch of holism that focuses on nature, species' interaction with each other, and spontaneity. Taoist writings first appear in ancient China around 600 BC. Those writings propose a philosophical detachment, allowing things to take their own natural course without interference. By remaining quiet and receptive, one lives in harmony with natural flow of life, with the Dao, the unnamable eternal Reality.

Any way you look at it, Taoism, and holism in general, in matters of health and healing, address more than the microscopic evaluation of a particular system, but rather how that system is reacting to its surroundings, and how it is affecting those surroundings in turn.

Holistic healing, then, approaches illness in a broader context than traditional medicine. Taoists feel that healing can occur when one comes into harmony with one's surroundings, or when one's surroundings are brought into harmony with the life force of the individual.

Nevertheless, many traditional physicians view it as nothing more than hocus-pocus.

Tao Holistic Healing (http://taoholistichealing.com/) is a holistic healing and learning center. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

An Array of Uses for Essential Oils

Essential oils are quite useful for all sorts of purposes. If you have never thought too much about using essential oils, then you may think that they are only for scenting yoga rooms or for people that shun medical care. This is just not true. Essential oils have a wide array of uses and once you do a little research, you will find yourself exploring these wonderful oils for yourself.

What can essential oils do for you?

There are many ways that you can use essential oils. One of the first things you should know is that when you want to use them, you have to understand how to use them and which ones are right for the purpose you need. There are literally hundreds of different essential oils out there and each one has its own unique purpose. Understand this before you start buying a lot of oils.

Medicinal purposes: One of the most popular uses for essential oils is for medicinal purposes. You can use everything from tea tree oil to lavender to help heal the mind and body. Use correctly, tea tree oil can ward off lice, take the sting out of bug bites, soothe a burn and even disinfect your laundry. Lavender, peppermint, carrot seed and many others are just as useful for medicinal purposes.

You can use them to bust up chest congestion, clear the sinus passages and help you relax and sleep better at night. Add well chosen essential oils to your bath water and they will melt away your tired, aching muscles. Add these to your daily treatment and regimen and they will leave you feeling ready to conquer the world in no time at all.

Make yourself beautiful: Essential oils are also popular for your beauty treatments and routine. The right kind of essential oils can be added to lotions and soaps to help give you healthy, glowing skin. Lip balms can also get an added punch with good quality essential oils. Need a good facial treatment or toner? Look no further than your favorite essential oil for this reason, too.

Tea tree oil can help fit off acne, giving you a radiant feel. Mix your favorite smelling essential oil with a good carrier and you have just created your very own personalized perfume that is all for you.

Make your home shine: You can also use essential oils in your home. There are many of these oils (such as lavender) that when added to your wash cycle, will give your towels and sheets a fresh, clean smell. You can clean and disinfect your home using diluted peppermint and tea tree oil, too. It is a natural antiseptic that is safe for everyone in your home.

There are also plenty of essential oils that can help clean your counter tops, sanitize your dishes and even help reduce airborne allergies in your home. Make sure you understand how to use these oils the right way before using the oils for cleaning. If not use correctly, some oils can stain your clothes and furniture.

Essential oils are very popular - and for good reason. With all of these uses, it is no wonder why people love popular essential oils.

Dee Braun is a Cert. Aromatherapist & Dr. of Reflexology who teaches Aromatherapy, Reflexology & Color/Crystal Therapy at http://www.AlternativeHealingAcademy.com/. Visit the Alternative Healing Academy, which offers home study courses in several natural healing methods. Payment plans are available!

Relieving Our Modern Stress Epidemic Using Natural Remedies

Stress is regrettably a common by-product of contemporary life. We can experience stress at work, school, in our relationships, even from peer-pressure. Stress is how our body responds to physical, emotional, mental or social conditions which are affecting us. The conditions may be good ones or bad ones; they may create tension or excitement.

Stress is normally not avoidable and can be due to social conditions, a change in situations, a particular event like a wedding, birth, or job situation, or it may be attributable to health, childbirth, financial situations, or illness.

Stress can show itself in many ways including surfacing as fatigue, headaches, backaches, muscle pain, stiffness in your neck, decreased appetite, memory loss, low self-esteem, a lower than normal sex drive, changes in your sleep patterns, and also shallow breathing. Stress may lead to illnesses including high blood pressure, skin disorders, cancer, obesity and even heart attacks.

It is crucial to learn how to cope with the stress in our lives in order to prevent illnesses which stem from stress. There are numerous natural remedies which can be used to help alleviate the experiences and consequences of stress.

One natural remedy is to take 1 tsp. of valerian rhizome, 1 tsp. of licorice root, 1 tsp. of Siberian ginseng root, and blend these together. Take 1 tsp. of this mixture by mouth every 3 to 4 hours.

Another natural remedy from India is to use Ashwaganda herb. This herb improves your mental and physical performance, relaxes brain waves and helps to cut down stress, especially in persons who work long hours, experience anxiety, reduced sexual drive, or those who experience fatigue.

You can take the herb Ginkgo biloba to help improve your circulation as well as to enhance brain activity.

Licorice Root will help protect you from the negative effects of stress, step-up your energy level and strengthen your immune system.

Taking the above herbs will also help you get better, more restful sleep. It is crucial to get enough rest when contending with stress.

It's also very important to learn how to think and speak in an affirmative and positive manner. When people put themselves down in thought or speech, they actually help create their own stress. Another terrific stress reducer is to take time for yourself by doing something you enjoy or by taking a weekend to do something you have always wanted to do.

Also make use of aromatherapy by using essential oils in a warm bath and going for a long soak (20-30 minutes) in order to relax muscles and release tension.

The essential oil blends below can help during times of stress. When selecting and using oils, be sure to follow all safety precautions and remember that aromatherapy shouldn't be used as a substitute for proper medical treatment.

Blend #1

* 6 drops Clary Sage
* 2 drops Lemon
* 2 drops Lavender

Blend #2

* 4 drops Roman Chamomile
* 4 drops Lavender
* 2 drops Vetiver

Blend #3

* 6 drops Bergamot
* 2 drops Geranium
* 2 drops Frankincense

Blend #4

* 6 drops Grapefruit
* 2 drops Jasmine
* 2 drops Ylang Ylang

Directions:

Select one of the blends shown above. Then, choose which method you'd like to use the blend - in a diffuser, as a bath oil (put 5-10 drops in 1/4 cup of Epsom Salts or Baking Soda and add to bath while water is running), as a massage oil (add blend to 2 Tbsp of Carrier or Pure Vegetable oil), as a perfume (put 1-2 drops on temples and sides of neck), or as an air freshener (add to 1/4 cup distilled water and put into spray bottle - spray where and as needed).

Dee Braun is a Cert. Aromatherapist & Dr. of Reflexology who teaches Aromatherapy, Reflexology & Color/Crystal Therapy at http://www.AlternativeHealingAcademy.com/. Visit the Alternative Healing Academy, which offers home study courses in several natural healing methods. Payment plans are available!

Insomnia - How Simple Aromatherapy Can Help Banish Those Seemingly Endless Sleepless Nights

The main function of aromatherapy is to produce an odor which induces an effect on the body. Human senses such as olfaction - the sense of smell - work on subconscious, as well as physical levels.

Smell can affect the way human beings react to various stimuli, stressors and organisms on emotional and mental levels as well as affecting bodily processes and reactions. Various smells can stimulate the brain and evoke feelings which are then associated with that smell.

Aromatherapy is typically used for mental and emotional well-being in addition to being beneficial for many physical ailments and complaints. Using aromatherapy for relaxation and insomnia can be a very effective and natural way to help the mind and body relax so it can be rejuvenated with quality and restful sleep. Some of the aromatherapy essential oils we recommend for this purpose are Chamomile, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Neroli, Ylang-ylang, and Marjoram.

There are several ways you can enjoy the smells and therapeutic effects of aromatherapy including putting a few drops in your bath water, using oils in a massage, diffusing a blend with a cold-air essential oil diffuser, wearing as a perfume, or sprinkling a few drops on your pillow at night. If you research aromatherapy for its benefits of treating insomnia there will be many recipes you can easily make and which are very effective.

Aromatherapy candles are also available in various scents and are a great added touch but likely don't release enough odor molecules to help in battling something as stubborn as insomnia. Aromatherapy is a natural way to fight insomnia and has been used for centuries with great success.

In conjunction with aromatherapy, meditation and yoga work very well as ways to relax and center your mind and body - allowing you to release worries and stressors which may be causing you to lose precious sleep. In addition to helping insomnia these practices will help lead you into a more healthy lifestyle.

Here are several blends to try on those restless nights:

Insomnia- Nightmares Wake You

* Lavender 15 drops
* Roman Chamomile 5 drops
* Mandarin 10 drops

Insomnia- Noise Wakes You

* Lavender 10 drops
* Lemon 15 drops
* Vetiver 5 drops

Insomnia-Restlessness

* Vetiver 10 drops
* Clary Sage 10 drops
* Lemon 10 drops

Insomnia-Fitfulness

* Marjoram 5 drops
* Lavender 15 drops
* Lemon 10 drops

Insomnia-Anxiety

* Chamomile Roman 10 drops
* Sandalwood 15 drops
* Lemon 5 drops

Insomnia-Worry

* Cistus 5 drops
* Lavender 15 drops

Insomnia-Exhaustion

* Valerian 5 drops
* Lemon 10 drops
* Mandarin 10 drops

Prepare the blend of your choice and follow usage instructions below.

How to use:

* Add up to 10 drops of a blend in a warm bath
* Use in a Diffuser
* Add blend to 1 oz. Carrier Oil and use for massage
* Place 1-2 drops on a cotton ball and place under your pillow

Recipes are from the Fragrant Mind by Valerie Ann Worwood

Dee Braun is a Cert. Aromatherapist & Dr. of Reflexology who teaches Aromatherapy, Reflexology & Color/Crystal Therapy at http://www.AlternativeHealingAcademy.com/
Visit the Alternative Healing Academy, which offers home study courses in several natural healing methods. Payment plans are available!

Aromatherapy As Source Of Health Care

By Ferdinand Okeke

Aromatherapy combines both Therapy and the sheer pleasure of enjoying the benefits of essential oils by the great use of herbal extracts which induce a state of well being. Aromatherapy is can be utilised in a variety of ways and for distinct purposes, some of them aiming at an improvement in the health state, others at practical applications around the house. The essential oils can be inhaled as such, steam-dispersed or sprayed, each of these has its specificity and meets different aromatherapy levels of efficiency.

Drops of essential oil can be placed on a tissue and inhaled. There are many health affections that are known to improve in response to such aromatherapy treatment. This is the case with menthol volatile oil inhalation for nausea, travel sickness or vomiting, and to give just another example, take lavender oil that soothes the nerves, induces sleep and increases the level of relaxation.

Aromatherapy by steam inhalation consists of the use of herbal extracts in hot water. Volatile oils work great in this combination and many people now use them for ambient and health purposes with the help of lamps and candles. Rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, pine, orange, lemon, cinnamon and dozens of other herbal extracts are just the thing you may be needing.

More recently, the field of aromatherapy has extended to the manufacturing of different categories of products for the general household freshening or as bug repellent elements. Presently, essential oils are also widely used in the design of cosmetic products such as perfumes, soaps, facial toners and lotions; the natural components make the products a lot more reliable and safer to use.

Aromatherapy does not rely on the simple or singular use of essential oils since combinations are most frequently used for the synergistic healing properties. The applications of aromatherapy can therefore be taken advantage of either in an organized therapeutic environment or in the comfort of one's home or in the privacy of the office for the mere implementation of a good mood and a great health.

The Internet presently represents a great source of information and you can finds lots of aromatherapy recipes to choose from. The ingredients, the blend specificity as well as all the health issues a certain combination aims at treating are usually specified and even explained comprehensively. Some special health publications also represent a good source of information when it comes to learning about the benefits and the uses of aromatherapy.

About the Author:

Get an Insight into Aromatherapy and its uses. Learn the secrets of alternative medicine with the use of Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy - Everything You Need To Know About Aromatherapy And Its Uses Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

Battling the Misery of Colds and Flu - Learn How Natural Remedies Can Help

Most people would give almost anything to relieve the misery cold and flu symptoms can bring. You can take over-the-counter medications, but they frequently have side effects such as making you drowsy. There are some natural remedies you can use to help relieve the symptoms of the common cold and flu.

When suffering from cold or flu, make sure that you blow your nose often instead of sniffing it back into your head. Don't blow your nose hard as this can create pressure which may lead to an ear ache.

The proper way to blow your nose is to place a finger over one of your nostrils while blowing gently to clear the other nostril. Always make sure you wash your hands afterwards to help prevent the spread of germs.

It's always beneficial to get plenty of rest while you have the cold or flu as the human body needs rest in order to heal. When you conserve energy by resting, your body can then utilize that energy to heal.

Try gargling with warm salt water to moisten a dry, irritated throat. Use one teaspoon of salt and dissolve it in warm water. Use the salt-water gargle four times a day. You can also use tea that contains tannin in order to tighten the mucus membranes.

You can also make an effective gargle by steeping one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water. Mix in one teaspoon of honey. After this mixture has cooled to room temperature you can gargle with it. Never, ever give honey to a child younger than 18 months.

Drinking hot liquids like broth, tea or soup can help to relieve congested sinus passages and also help prevent dehydration. Warm liquids also help soothe the inflamed membranes of your nose and throat.

A steamy shower will also work wonders to help moisturize your nasal passages and help you to breathe easier.

Use a mentholated salve such as Vicks VapoRub under your nose to help open your nasal passage and bring easier breathing. An added bonus is if the salve contains menthol, eucalyptus or camphor which will help alleviate the pain of a nose rubbed raw by blowing.

You can apply hot or cold packs to the face over facial sinuses to help relieve pain and congestion, or use a damp, warm washcloth as a compress.

Here are several natural herbal and aromatherapy recipes to help alleviate the worst symptoms of colds and flu:

Cold and Flu Combo Tea

* 3 parts Echinacea
* 3 parts Goldenseal Root
* 2 parts Pau D Arco
* 2 parts Peppermint leaf
* 2 parts Mullein
* 1 part Ginger Root

Directions

Combine all of the Herbs together. Place 2 Tablespoons of mix in jar that can be completely covered. Pour 6 ounces of hot water over the Herbs and seal. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain Herbs. Drink 1 cup 3 times a day. Inhale the tea to relieve sinus congestion.

Eucalyptus Chest Rub

* 40 drops essential oil of Eucalyptus
* 10 drops essential oil of Camphor
* 2 drops essential oil of Wintergreen
* 1 drop essential oil of Thyme
* 1 ounce Olive Oil
* 1/2 teaspoon Beeswax

Preparation: Add the Beeswax to the Olive Oil and heat until the Beeswax is melted. Use very low heat or a double boiler to prevent burning the oil. When the wax is melted, remove the oil from the heat then add the essential oils and stir to blend.

When the mixture is cool it is ready to use. You can make this using only the Eucalyptus oil if preferred. To use rub a small amount on the chest as needed to relieve congestion.

Cold Combat With Essential Oils

* Orange, - 20 drops
* Eucalyptus - 10 drops
* Juniper berry 10 drops
* Pine Needle - 10 drops
* Basil - 6 drops
* Rosewood - 6 drops
* Ginger - 4 drops

Blend all together and us in a Diffuser or a few drops in 1/4 cup of Epsom Salts added to a bath. You can also place a few drops on a kleenex and insert into your pillow case before bedtime. (This Recipe From Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health and Beauty by Roberta Wilson)

Dee Braun is a Cert. Aromatherapist & Dr. of Reflexology who teaches Aromatherapy, Reflexology & Color/Crystal Therapy at http://www.alternativehealingacademy.com/. Vist the Alternative Healing Academy, which offers home study courses in several natural healing methods. Payment plans are available!

Essential Oils you Must Have in Your Medicine Cabinet

By Christa McCourt

Presently, we are overwhelmed with choices to rid our aches and pains, colds and flu, upset stomachs, diarrhea, allergies and so on. Between TV commercials and drug stores we have way too many choices!

How can we trust that these products will work? And why are there so many?

We can surely waste a lot of time in the drug store searching for the perfect remedy. Reading label after label and hoping we don't suffer any funky side effects.

I have found that using essential oils can substitute all of my over-the-counter medications. And, I don't fear getting any side effects.

Essential oils have been used as medicine for thousands of years. And today, the rediscovery of true, medicinal aromatherapy is affecting thousands of people in profound ways.

I am one of those fortunate people who have experienced, first hand, the medicinal benefits of essential oils. And I will never be without them!

I don't suggest that you discontinue taking your prescription medications as they are needed for your health. And, always check with your physician before lowering or stopping your medication.

To lower a fever: Take 3 drops of Peppermint essential oil and rub it on each foot. I've used this remedy many times to lower fevers and it works like a charm. Especially on children. But if your child is under 2, please dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil such as an organic olive oil. 1 part essential oil to 10 parts carrier oil. Besides fevers, peppermint essential oil is also good for headaches, stuffy noses, upset stomachs, focus and concentration and taking the itch out of insect bites. A bottle of peppermint essential oil can replace as many as 6 over-the-counter medicines.

To combat allergies: Use 1 drop of lavender essential oil on your cheek bones and below your nose. This will help clear your sinuses. Lavender essential oil is a natural antihistamine. Lavender essential oil is most know for it's relaxing properties. But it can also cleanse wounds and cuts, heal sun burned skin and prevent scars. One bottle of Lavender essential oil can easily replace numerous medications.

For arthritis and joint pain: Take a few drops of an essential oil blend called PanAway and rub it on your sore joints. I love this blend for back pain! This awesome blend contains; wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and peppermint (Mentha piperita.) PanAway can also help muscle soreness that we feel after exercising. One bottle of PanAway can replace many common muscle rubs and some pain relieving pills.

Therapeutic grade essential oils can give you the same results as common medications. What they won't give you is the wacky side effects. A word to the wise, always use therapeutic grade essential oils when your dealing with your health and healing needs. A low quality essential oil will not offer you any therapeutic value. (c) 2008 Christa McCourt

About the Author:

Before you purchase essential oils online, make sure you visit Christa's website and subscribe to her free weekly newsletter about the benefits of therapeutic grade essential oils for health, healing and organic living.

One Person's Account of Herpes and Essential Oils

By Jane Seaman

The Herpes virus is a difficult little bug; a so-called 'incurable' infection with painful skin lesions. The sores come and go, more frequenly for some individuals than others, and often flollow stressful life conditions where the immune system may be weakened. Allopathic medicine doesn't yet have a cure for this disease, only pills and creamse that must be used regularly to keep outbreaks from recurring and to lessen their duration. Incurable, painful, sort-of ugly, and with great names like 'oral-labial' or 'genital', this can be one challenging illness.

This is a personal account - I had herpes outbreaks for several years, and had to deal with painful sores in my mouth and on my lips - sometimes so bad I thought my teeth were falling out! I've been through those internal struggles on how to break it to an intimate partner - thankfully their response was never as sever as I expected - hough it still seemed like a big deal to me. I regularly had those telling days of feeling a flu was about to hit, with several days of lesions to follow. What seemed the worst, being an athlete, was that training really hard tended to cause outbreaks almost for certain.

I freqently wondered in the midst of these bouts with HSV if this was something I'd have to deal with for the rest of my life - I tried doctor prescribed medicines, Lysine and other remedies, but none kept the virus at bay enough to really make a difference.

Then it so happened I got involved in essential oils - the powerful aromatic compounds distilled in small amounts from plants. You've probably heard of them - Lavender oil, Sandalwood, Frankincense, etc. They're getting to be fairly common these days. And then one day I stumbled onto research being performed with a particularly rare essential oil called 'Melissa' or 'Lemon Balm'. Melissa is steam distilled from the leaves of the Melissa herb - and in very small quanitities. The plant yields a small amount of oil relative to all the other aromatic plant species out there. Research has been being performed in Europe for several years applying Melissa oil to herpes outbreaks, with very interesting results. In fact, one German pharmaceutical company extracted the 'active' component of the oil and sold it in a prescription preparation for use by herpes 'sufferers'.

Perhaps the most impressive statement about the efficacy of Melissa on herpes outbreaks was made by Dr. Dietrich Wabner, a German scientist at the Technical University of Munich - he reported that a 'one time' application of 'true' Melissa oil could lead to a complete remission of outbreaks. A cure! It seemed expensive for a little bottle of clear liquid, but not so when compared to any other medicine - and the possibility of a 'complete remission of outbreaks'! I'd figured I had nothing to lose.

A little further investigation gave me a better idea of a protocol; The oil may not lead to a complete remission in one application - though much success was found when the oil was applied directly to the affected area when an outbreak felt 'imminent' (those of you dealing with this know what I mean). This was to be done a few times a day throughout the outbreak, and for the next several times an outbreak was surfacing. My outbreaks tended to occur on my tongue at that point - I would get the flu/fatigued feeling, then my tongue would swell a bit, and I'd get some cold sores on it. I still got lesions on my lower lip occasionally, but not as often if I kept protected from the sun. So I started on the Melissa; just one drop in my mouth a few times a day. It's a powerful oil, but I actually liked the taste, and the aroma was truly wonderful - very uniquely herbaceous and bright.

Well, perhaps the single dose worked for some folks, but I wasn't quite so fortunate - though I was certainly not discouraged. The history of Melissa and it's healing powers was renoun, and I kept up with the program. Despite continuing to have outbreaks, they were shorter, and they seemed to occur less frequently. And after a while, it dawned on me - the outbreaks had stopped completely! And believe me, my life has been no less stressful - more so if anything. Also, while outbreaks do tend to happen less freqently for some over time, I had been living with this for 15 years and they were still fairly regular. But no matter how stressful my days were, how heavy my weight training sessions or other athletic endeavors, the outbreaks have not returned!

Now to those who may have more sensitive skin than I, Melissa can be diluted in a carrier oil (like Hazelnut or Rosehip Seed oil) down to 10% or less of the total concentration and still be just as effective - taking any essential oil orally, and undiluted certainly, should be done with caution - pay attention to your own reaction and proceed accordingly. I haven't any experience with the 'genital' variety of the virus, but I it should work just as well - though this is where the carrier oil might feel a little nicer. But whatever way it's used, the protocol should be followed as closely as possible: apply the oil a few times a day to the affected area as soon as you feel an outbreak coming on, and stick with it until the lesions have healed. Then do it again the next several times an outbreak is surfacing. There are no guarantees, but I do hope this wonderful natural medicine can provide the same relief for others as it has for me.

As a side note, another Herpes Simplex virus is known as 'Shingles'. This also causes sore, sometimes weeping lesions of the skin. Many folks have found relief using Ravensara essential oil (also considered a powerful anti-viral) in a 50-50 blend with Tamanu oil. The Tamanu acts as a carrier, and sooths the skin during the healing process. I have heard nothing about 'complete remission' in these cases, but I have heard of this blend really working for those with this painful condition.

Finally, when buying Melissa essential oil, buy it from a trusted source - the oil has been adulterated because of it's high cost. The substitute - a blend of Lemongrass and other oils - will not have the same effect. Look for 'True' Melissa, or better yet, organic 'true' Melissa. There are about 25 drops per milliliter, and you only need one drop per application, so a few milliliters will go a long way. If you decide to try this natural healing oil, or to recommend it to others, I wish you - or they - the best of results.

About the Author:

oil and other therapeutic aromatics.

Essential Oils Guide

By Lee Dobbins

Aromatherapy uses smells for healing and is an age old way of healing. Essential oils are responsible for these smells and are oils that are extracted from certain plants. These oils have been used for healing since ancient times.

Smell is one of our strongest senses. Did you ever get a whiff of a scent that brought you back to an earlier time in your life? Perhaps the perfume of an old girlfriend or the cologne your father wore. In fact, scent forms a response in your brain and has a tight relationship with memory.

In aromatherapy, essential oils are used which are inhaled due to their scent. In addition, they can be applied to the skin for a nice scent of your body and absorption into your blood stream! Essential oils are used in many massage oil mixture, lotions and creams.

You can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy at home. Simply purchase a diffuser and some essential oils; there are many to choose from, and you can experiment with your own scents. Aromatherapy is healthy and will help you relax and ease daily tension.

Aromatherapy can even be an alternative to prescription medicines when used along with your doctors permission. They are typically safe although if you are allergic to a certain plant you will probably be allergic to the essential oils from that plant. Also since essential oils are highly concentrated you want to dilute them before using them on your skin or you could have adverse side effects from too much being absorbed into your blood at once, conjunction with your doctors advice of course.

You can treat minor health problems with essential oils, and they may even help your immune system. Use aromatherapy to alleviate joint pain, cramps, insomnia, headache, and to improve skin health by increasing circulation and tone.

About the Author:

To learn more about the essential oils used in aromatherapy, please visit http://www.aromatherapyessentialoilsguide.com/, where you can learn about distilled essential oils, expressed essential oils and hydrosols.

A Detailed Guide to the Practice of Aromatherapy

By Lorraine Butler

Aromatherapy is an alternative healing method that is gaining rapid popularity. Aromatherapy is the practise of using essential oils obtained from trees, flowers and other plants. The oils are distilled by steam and when used correctly can aid in treating certain illnesses and conditions.

There are hundreds of different essential oils used in the practice of aromatherapy, each having different properties and different therapeutic applications. Some are used for their calming, soothing properties while others have an invigorating effect for the patient undergoing aromatherapy.

For sufferers of chronic pain or recovering from an injury, aromatherapy can be most beneficial. Even the most serious of conditions can respond positively to aromatherapy. There is also a lesser risk of potential side effects associated with everyday medicines.

What it Can Do For You

Aromatherapy is an excellent alternative to those seeking natural cures or treatments for their ills. Given it's safety compared to regular medications, it works well for those trying not to resort to chemically based medicines.

From insect bites to fungal infection, chapped lips to sore throats, aromatherapy has a useful application. Aromatherapy has been used in cases of Alzheimer's with some positive results too!

Getting Started

Firstly, you must learn more about aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is an ancient art that can be traced back for thousands of years. There is therefore much to be learned about aromatherapy and if you are considering starting a treatment then you would be wise to learn what you can beforehand.

You'll want to learn about aromatherapy's practical uses. One is the aromatherapy massage, in which essential oils are used in combination with a massage to produce deep relaxation along with lowering the patient's blood pressure and slowing the heart rate.

Advocates of aromatherapy will agree that it is highly effective in treating stress and pain disorders. The overall effect of reduced stress and general feeling of well being is maybe why people recovering from sports injuries respond well to this treatment.

About the Author:

Learn more about natural aromatherapy benefits by checking out Lorraine Butler's website on natural aromatherapy

Alternative Medicine Tips: 5 Essential Oils for Happy Healthy Kids

By Melissa Ginger

Our fast-paced lifestyles often leave little time for taking care of our children as well as we'd like. Often, we find ourselves compromising between what would be the healthiest options and what's most convenient. Fortunately, aromatherapy offers both; pure, effective natural medicines with simple, easy-to-use methods. The only time required is learning a little about a select group of essential oils, what they do and how to use them. Here's a quick review of five important oils commonly used with children and infants, and some ideas on how to use them most effectively.

We'll begin with a few tips on using oils with children and infants. There are three primary methods of using oils with little ones: Topical application through massage or applying directly to wounds or sores; Inhalation from a handkerchief, spray bottle, warm bowl of water, the bed sheets, or diffuser; and Baths, which actually combines the topical and inhalation methods. The main difference in using essential oils with children and adults is that children will simply need smaller amounts. There are a few oils that should not be used with children - peppermint, for example, is considered too powerful for the wee ones under two (spearmint is called for instead, which can be helpful with tummy trouble). Ask someone with experience if you are unsure about a particular oil.

The dosages and dilutions used for children are generally significantly lower than those used with adults. Dilutions for caring touch massage can start as low as 1 drop per ounce of carrier (hazelnut is excellent for most applications) for newborns, moving up approximately 1 drop per year, within a range of about 3 drops per ounce. For example, a massage blend for a four year old might contain anywhere from 3 to 6 drops of essential oil per ounce, depending on the oil and the child. Oils like Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Vanilla are exceptionally gentle - more could be used without worry. An oil like Rose, while wonderful for children, is fairly potent, and using a little less may be prudent. The child's weight and overall condition can also be considered; a child that is big for their age could use slightly higher amounts of essential oil, whereas a child that is week from illness could use a little less.

By now you might be wondering "which oils should I be using?" We'll start with vanilla...Everyone loves vanilla, right? It turns out that babies especially respond well to the comforting sweet aroma. While a good vanilla essential oil is a little expensive, only a very small amount is needed to create an exceptionally soothing massage oil for belly, back and foot rubs. Vanilla, being so gentle, can be used in concentrations of up to 1% (that's 10 drops per ounce of carrier). Really all that's needed is a hint of the aroma for it to work wonders. I've received reports of children being instantly calmed by a gentle vanilla massage, then immediately asking for more!

Next up is Chamomile. Roman Chamomile is premier oil calming little ones over two years of age. The oil may be used in a number of ways; aromatherapy massage, in a diffuser or room spray (with this and other oils, dilute 10 drops per cup of water in a clean spray bottle - shake well and lightly mist the air), a drop or two sprinkled on bedding, or in a bath. According to Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt in Advanced Aromatherapy, "Even in very small concentrations, whether alone or in combinations with other oils (Roman Chamomile) has a soothing effect. It's appropriate to massage a few undiluted drops into the solar plexus." It is noted as particularly suited to calming tantrums or bringing calm after nightmares.

True Lavender essential oil (Lavendula angusitifolia) is wonderful for its soothing effects as well, along with a great variety of other healing actions. It is an excellent remedy for small burns, applied directly to the area, undiluted. For small cuts and scrapes, Lavender may be used alone, or in a 50/50 blend with Tea Tree for added antiseptic properties. Lavender supports sleep, and is an excellent choice for diffusing in the evening time. Lavender may also be used in a bath, and is the first choice for a gentle foot rub. For a good night's rest, blend 2 to 1 with Roman Chamomile, diluting as needed depending on the child and application method.

When sour moods are in need of a lift, citrus oils supply the aromas of choice. Tangerine and Sweet Orange are especially liked, and Mandarin has a certain calming effect not found in any other oil. Citrus oils are often cold-pressed from the peels of the fruit; these can be mildly irritating to the skin. Stick to using these in room sprays or diffusers. Steam distilled citrus oils, often made from the leaves or flowers of the citrus trees (like Neroli, Petitgrain, or Mandarin Petitgrain - an especially nice oil for young ones) can safely be used in topical applications like massages and baths. All these oils are known as antidepressants, and might just lift your mood as well as your child's (not to terrible of a side effect!)

And for all those little abrasions of childhood, Tea Tree is highly regarded as a natural antiseptic for cuts and scrapes. Once a wound is washed, it may be covered with a Band-Aid which has a drop of Tea Tree placed on the gauze. Tea Tree may be a bit strong to apply directly to the injury, though when mixed with equal parts of Lavender, Tea Tree will prevent infection while the Lavender will relieve pain and actually speed wound healing. A few drops of the Tea Tree/Lavender mixture can be added to a warm cup of water to use as a cleansing wash. An effective, home made antiseptic spray can also be made: use 2 ounces water, 1/2 half ounce rubbing alcohol, 8 drops Lavender, 12 drops Tea Tree and 8 drops Roman Chamomile. Shake vigorously and store, shaking again before each use. Tea Tree is considered a 'universal antiseptic', with a great many uses in first aid and around the home. At 20 drops per cup of water, it can be used as a non-toxic (if not pungent!) general cleaner which you'll be happy to use instead of many chemical laden household cleaners where your children will be crawling about - and you can mix with lemon oil for a more pleasing aroma.

This is just a brief look at how you can easily incorporate the wonderful healing potential of essential oils into your child's natural health and wellness program. There are many, many essential oils available with an array of healthful effects and pleasant scents. A note about essential oil quality: consider spending a little bit more on your oils, rather than going for the least expensive available. The oil's aroma, and its therapeutic value, may be significantly different. Try to find a company you trust, that offers consistently high quality oils; when you buy a new oil for the first time, they're more likely to carry first-rate oils of each type. As your knowledge and experience grows, you'll find there are aromatherapy remedies for most common childhood ailments. There are many fine books on aromatherapy available, often with several chapters devoted to using essential oils with children. Most importantly, start slowly, be creative, and have fun; aromatherapy can easily become a key component in support of your family's health and wellness.

About the Author:

The author is a natural health professional utilizing aromatherapy and essential oil blends.

Frankincense - A Natural Health Wonder from Ancient Times

By Olivia Roberts

Deeply revered for many thousands of years, the Frankincense tree has perhaps the greatest association with spiritual practice of any plant on earth. In many great ancient cultures, including the Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman civilizations, it has played a role in religious and domestic life. Frankincense resin has been sought after by kings, valued as highly as gold, and offered as a gift at the birth of one of history's most revered prophets. More recently, the essential oil is gaining popularity with spiritual seekers and natural healers alike - what's so unique about the rich smelling resin and it's essential oil, and how might we use it for our own benefit?

The Olibanum tree upon first glance may seem rather unremarkable. It appears as a giant shrub, with many knurled branches topped with abundant slender leaves and occasionally, small white flowers. This North African native looks like it belongs in the desert, standing alone in some of the world's harshest growing conditions. It is the sap of this enduring tree that has such lore and mysticism surrounding it...when the tree's bark is pierced, a milky-white 'oleo'-resin is exuded and collected; thought the tree is not harmed. The hardened drops of resin are known themselves by the name Frankincense, derived from the medieval French 'franc', meaning 'pure', and from the Latin 'incensium', meaning 'to smoke'.

For many thousands of years, the resin has been burned in temples the world over, where it's smoke has purified the air and carried prayers to the heavens. It's use is still met today by many in Catholic mass. The highly antiseptic smoke is also thought to bring calm to the mind, allowing one's spiritual practice and awareness to deepen. Modern science has confirmed the affect of Frankincense on the pineal gland, or 'third eye', which is thought by some to be the center of awareness for the unseen world. The oil distilled from the resin is considered a holy anointing oil; it has been known as 'the oil of Lebanon', and was well known at Christ's time for it's anointing and healing powers.

Frankincense resin has been considered throughout the ages to have a wealth of health supporting properties. In Ayurveda, it has been used to treat many ills, and is well-known for it's use in treating arthritic conditions. Modern investigation has found the components called Boswellic Acids can have significant support both to relieve joint pain and to further prevent cartilage loss.

Today's naturopathic practitioners continue to use Frankincense, though the essential oil is now commonly employed because of it's simplicity of use. It may be applied topically or taken orally with proper instruction from a qualified practitioner. There are many indications for the use of Frankincense oil, including asthma, depression, stress-related conditions and a weakened immune system. Further, Frankincense oil is now under investigation in university studies for it's anti-tumor effects, particularly for skin and breast malignancies.

It is important to note that the carbon dioxide extracted (CO2) variety of the essential oil is more likely to contain the same healthful compounds as the natural plant resin, as the steam distilled variety may not be able to extract all the important molecules. North America's leading medical aromatherapist has stated, "It could be that the (health-affecting) substances in question are too polar and too large a molecular size to appear in steam distillates - their presence would be more likely in CO2 extracts." The CO2 extract may still be a little more expensive than the steam distilled oil, though prices are coming down as the technology becomes more commonplace. Look for the essential oil labeled 'CO2 distilled' or 'extracted' specifically - otherwise it is likely to be the steam distilled variety.

The most noted effect of the essential oil may be on the nervous system. Regarded as an antidepressant, the aroma can both relax and revitalize, and can help in cases of nervous tension and exhaustion. Frankincense oil contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system, the hypothalamus, the pineal and the pituitary glands. The oil is now being researched for its ability to increase human growth hormone production. Further, it is considered to strengthen the immune system, which may in-fact occur as a result of its uplifting properties. The oil is noted in most aromatherapy guides to uplift the spirit, calm the mind, and act as an anti-depressant.

Frankincense essential oil can be used in a manner similar to burning of the incense in spiritual practice. Warming in a candle lamp or direct application to the temples and third eye will quiet the mind, deepen the breath, and promote meditative stillness. It is often blended with Sandalwood, Myrrh, Cedarwood and/or Juniper oil for such uses, as these all have similar grounding and elevating properties. For therapeutic uses, some naturopathic practitioners take small amounts of the essential oil orally, sometimes in addition to massaging into any diseased area. Of course, as with any illness, it is important to seek out qualified medical advice; if you choose to employ Frankincense oil, discuss this with your physician - it should be acceptable as an adjunct therapy in most cases. It is far better to employ the oil under the direction of a qualified practitioner rather than through haphazard application!

For simple aromatic use, frankincense resin (the dried sap of the tree) is widely available at reasonable costs. Most is wild-crafted, being extracted from trees growing in the deserts of northeast Africa - thankfully, the resource is abundant, as the trees easily survive harvesting of the pearls. The small chunks of resin can simply be lit by themselves in a dish or similar container, and allowed to smolder and release their smoke. Frankincense is also available in prepared incense sticks and other incense preparations. In the form of your choosing, simply light and allow some quiet time to experience the deep aroma.

With the essential oil, a diffuser or warming lamp can be used to disperse the aroma throughout a space. The oil is also found in aromatherapy candles, where it is released from the heated oil beneath the burning wick. Frankincense oil can be applied directly to the forehead where you can both capture the aroma and absorb the oil directly (it is non-irritating or sensitizing, though if you do experience sensitivity, simply dilute to 5-10% in a carrier oil). Take a moment to sit quietly to perceive any effects.

The wonderful gift of the Frankincense tree is available in many ways, and has come highly recommended for many thousands of years. Try adding a little Frankincense to your life, and see what the mystery is all about!

About the Author:

The author has made available much information about aromatherapy, such as using ginger oil and other therapeutic essential oils.