Introduction to Aromatherapy
How we discovered Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is one of our most recent hobbies. A couple years ago a friend asked me to help a lady she was working for with her web page. I agreed, of course since at that time playing web pages was one of my favorite games. I had been hearing about the "OIL lady" and her Aromatherapy for a while and even had been gifted a tiny bottle of one of her blends - Pain, Panic, Stress - in a tiny satin pouch. This stuff seemed very special and precious and I used it sparingly ... hoarding it. So...my friend came and fetched me on her way to work. I didn't know what to expect but when I walked into her house - yes she works out of her house or cottage as she calls it - and inhaled the overwhelming aroma permeating the house - I was hooked! I built the web page the lady wanted and installed it on her web site and she gave me a batch of essential oils to thank me. I actually ended up "working" there for several months. The lady "paid" me mostly in oils! I ended up with an assortment of Aromatherapy Essential Oils and Blends! She was distressed when I had to move on and could no longer "work" for her and I hear, from friends that she is still hunting me!
Observations on proliferation of Aromatherapy
Since then we have noticed Aromatherapy is EVERYWHERE and growing! Not only are there commercial Air Fresheners using essential oils, they are putting the oils in everything they can. Everyday items such as Dishwashing Liquid, Laundry Detergent, Dryer Sheets to Hand Lotions, Body Gels and Shampoo are adding Essential oils to their formulas. Lavender, Orange and Tea Tree are very popular. You can even purchase a bottle of Tea Tree in the WalMart pharmacy! Orange clean - yep - orange oil. We've been using aromatherapy for DECADES and didn't even know it!!! Vicks Vapor Rub - that I have fond memories of my Mommy rubbing me down with when I was way little and had a cold - uses Eucalyptus Oil - a cough suppresant - as well as Camphor and Menthol... Aromatherapy!!
Personal Discovery involving Aromatherapy
We buy
"Hot Spot Itch Relief Spray from Veterinarian's Best" for our poodle at PetSmart. Last summer we were riding around the neighborhood on our
Mule (Kawasaki Mule) 
Mule at our Pond
- being swarmed by mosquitos and gnats. We went back to the house for something to drink and picked up the poodle -
Rosie - whom I had sprayed earlier. Rosie 
Rosie O'Doo
is allergic to fleas and I'd noticed that the "Hot Spot & Itch Spray" seemed to not only alleviate her irritation with the fleas - it kept them off of her. On our second ride that evening we noticed that the mosquitos left us alone. We were amazed and deduced that it was the spray on the dog warding them off. Jeff is alergic to ordinary commercial products such as OFF or Deet - they actually cause sunburn-like blisters. So we tried using the dog's spray on ourselves and it worked! Now we use Essential Oil to create our own Bug Git Gone spray!
Veterinarian's Best also puts out shampoos, ear care products and several other wonderful Pet products - available at PetSmart.
The History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has been around for a lot longer than most of us realize.
The term Aromatherapy, or to be specific Aromatherapie, was coined in 1937 by French chemist Renee Maurice Gattefosse. One day, while conducting an experiment in his lab, Maurice burned his hand and quickly jammed it into the closest bottle of liquid, which as luck would have it was lavender oil. His hand healed quickly with no blistering or scarring. This triggered what become a life long interest in the healing properties of plants, "aromatherapie" as he called it.
This aside, Aromatherapy as a practice dates back into our early history, to the Egyptians. The Greeks too knew of Aromatherapy. "The Father of Modern Medicine," Hippocrates taught the health enhancing joys of aromatics to his pupils. So, though the science of Aromatherapy is modern- the knowledge of the benefits of our aromatic friends the plants has been around for centuries. The Bible has over 150 references to essential oils. Frankincense and Myrhh which we have ALL heard of, are essential oils!
Scripture References in the Bible: www.webdeb.com/oils/bible.htm
Disclaimer
I am NOT trying or pretending to become an aromatherapist but we realized that purchasing oils wholesale is a whole lot less expensive than purchasing ready-made blends. For example - one of Jeff's favorite blends - Heaven - sells for $22 for a tiny vial 1/16th of an ounce or $275 for a full ounce retail. We can purchase the necessary oils for around $100 or so to make two ounces or so!! With this amazing savings in mind, we can afford to share these oils with friends and thus "Turn On" more people to Aromatherapy!!
Warnings
Aromatherapy Oils are strong and most are not intended to be used in massive amounts straight on the body. Small quantities of Essential Oils can be added to Carrier Oils, creams or lotions - preferably unscented - for massage or rubs. Popular Carrier Oils are Almond, Apricot Kernel and Jojoba. Jojoba is supposed to have the best "keeping" qualities. Even Olive Oil can be used as a carrier oil but it breaks down more quickly and become rancid so should be mixed in small amounts and used quickly - not stored or hoarded!
NOTE: Aromatherapy Oils can and will strip the finish off wooden furniture VERY quickly if spilled or dripped - use caution around furniture!!!
The Basics of Aromatherapy
The basis of Aromatherapy is Essential Oils. Any oils one purchases should be 100% Theraputic Quality and NOT fragrance or synthetic oils. It is best to purchase 100% pure oils - not oils already diluted in carrier oil. The most basic of all the Essential Oils - the ONE that everyone should have on hand at all times is Lavender.
"Lavender is the most versatile of essential oils. It is relaxing and refreshing, uplifts the spirits, and helps to relieve the distress of muscle pain. NO home should be without it. Balances your body and mind. Calms or stimulates according to your bodies needs. Excellent for refreshing tired muscles, feet and head. Add a drop to the pillow/sheet before peaceful sleep. Treats burns and reduces scaring. Can be used neat in small amounts on burns, but care still needs to be taken. Blends with many other oils."
Quoted from Reference Guide for Essential Oils - Page 3 - H to L
There are many types of Lavender available. Liberty Naturals site lists eight different Lavender Essential Oils for sale:
-
LAVENDER 40/42% FRANCE
-
LAVENDER 40/42% STARA PLANINA
-
LAVENDER CHINA
-
LAVENDER HUNGARY
-
LAVENDER LNP OREGON
-
LAVENDER PURE 40/42% FRANCE
-
LAVENDER RUSSIA
- LAVENDER SPIKE SPAIN
BUT.... they don't explain anything about the differences in the oils. Confusing....
I picked "LAVENDER PURE 40/42% FRANCE" in my recent order and after reading info on the
Dreaming Earth Botanicals Reference Guide for Essential Oils I am happy with my choice.
They
only list four Lavenders for sale (including my choice), but they have
excellent descriptions of many of the individual Essential Oils.
NOTE: I WAS happy with my choice of "LAVENDER PURE 40/42% FRANCE" until my friend Genoyce gave me a bottle of HER choice - "LAVENDER HUNGARY". Her's smells much more marvelous than mine...hmmm.
Each of the Essential Oils have properties and uses individually and work synergistically when combined in Blends.
A few of our favorite blends are:
- Heaven
Heaven can be just sniffed from the bottle or a tiny drop placed on the tip of your nose or in an aroma necklace. It can be dabbed on as a precious perfume. Or a few drops can be added to other blends or carrier oil for a wonderful massage!
It also is used as an anointing oil for energetic healing. Heaven is reported to "lift us to higher consciousness" while "providing needed grounding". I'm not sure about all that but I am sure it does smell MARVELOUS!!
Ingredients: Linden Blossom, Mimosa Flower & Frangipani (Plumeria) with a touch of Ginger Lily & Kewda.
- Peace and Calm
This calming, pain-relieving blend is excellent for promoting restful sleep.
It helps ease irritability. Calms stressed out adults, overactive or fussy children, and hyperactive DOGS! Also reported as good for circulation.
Inhale from bottle, air diffusor, or spritzer, wear as perfume, place a few drops on pillow, or dilute in carrier oil or lotion for massage.
One of my friends rubs a couple drops on the inside of her hyperactive poodle pup's ear before she goes to the vet or the groomer. She even told the vet about this wonderful oil blend and he "pooh-poohed" the whole idea UNTIL he saw it in action - or would that be inaction!
Ingredients of MY version: Bitter Orange Peel, Sweet Orange Peel, Tangerine Peel, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Balsam, and Blue Tansy.
- Bergamot Mint Bouquet
Uplifting blend of Citruses, Peppermint & Lemongrass works well for sensitive, allergic people - stimulates lymph drainage, clears respiratory congestion, eases anxiety, muscle pains & fibromyalgia; assists attention, concentration & focus. Clears the atmosphere when used in a diffusor or nebulizer.
Inhale from bottle, air diffusor, or spritzer (add a little to water in a small mister and shake well each time used), dab a little on as perfume, place a few drops on pillow, or dilute in carrier oil or lotion for restorative massage.
Ingredients of MY version: Lemon Peel, Peppermint, Sweet Orange Peel and Lemongrass
- GOOD Sinus Blend
One of my friends created this wonderful Sinus Blend. Her whole family and most people in East Texas have sinus problems. She mixes up bottles of her blend and hands them out to just about everyone who crosses her path. Sinus Blend can also be just sniffed from the bottle, rubbed across cheek bones and at temples, used in a "personal" aromatherapy diffusor or inhaler, or used in a whole house diffusor.
Ingredients of my friend's version: Lavender, Basil, Ginger, Tea Tree, Enchanted Forest Blend, plus 2 drops St. John's Wort per 1/8th ounce.
- Bug Git Gone spray
This insect repelling spray is based on a commercial product from PetSmart called "Hot Spot Itch Relief Spray from Veterinarian's Best". It helps to keep mosquitos and gnats away from people and chases fleas away from dogs.
MY version originally, was made by starting with a purchased bottle of "Hot Spot Itch Relief Spray from Veterinarian's Best". The ingredients are: tea tree oil, along with chamomile and aloe vera. I add more tea tree and a generous amount of sweet orange peel oil. Tea tree has a very strong odor and can overwhelm a blend. I purchase liquid aloe gel and now create my "Bug Git Gone" totally from "scratch". I use equal parts Tea Tree Oil and Sweet Orange, a bit of Chamomile, and a bit of Blue Tansy. Add the oils to the sprayer. Add a bit of vodka or medicinal alcohol. Fill sprayer with liquid aloe vera gel. SHAKE well and often!
- Dust Mite-icide
Recently I heard an ad on TV - for a Temperpedic bed -
that stated:
"The weight of the average mattress doubles after ten years due to dust mite infestation, and the weight of the average pillow increases 10% after one year."
While we don't have that particular bed, the one we do have claims to have fabric covering that is resistant to dust mites. This got me to wondering... if the mites are not disappearing into the mattress... WHERE ARE THEY GOING??
Then I stumbled on a web site - All Natural Pain Relief, Inc. - that informs me:
Dust Mites are small microscopic arachnids, members of the spider and tick family. There are approximately 40,000 Dust Mites in an ounce of household dust. These spidery creatures live off the dead skin that fall off of our bodies at a rate of about 50 million cells or so per day, giving our eight legged friends plenty to feast on. The problem, however, is that each Dust Mite produces about twenty fecal pellets per day; these are so small that they can actually linger in the air for about eight hours. When an allergy sufferer breathes in these pollutants it can trigger asthma, watery eyes, eczema, runny noses and a host of other allergic conditions. In fact, there are about two million of these critters in an average double bed. A combination of Dust Mites, both dead and alive, and their fecal material can make up one tenth of the weight of a 6-year-old pillow. These little critters have been around for 300 million years, so complete eradication and extinction is unlikely. So what can the 15 million Americans who suffer from Dust Mite allergies do? Dust Mites have sticky feet that cling to surfaces and cannot be vacuumed up, and just regular washing will not get rid of them either.
SHEESH... GROSS...Even my Dyson Animal that sucks like a tornado isn't gonna get those nasty critters. Bummer... AND... they're so tiny I CAN'T EVEN SEE THEM! Now I'm really wondering if this could be one of the things affecting my sinuses and maybe part of Rosie's Itching problem. So this web site is claiming:A study done at the University of Sydney in Australia utilizing Eucalyptus oil when washing wool, sheets or linens. The study indicated that wool washed with a mixture of detergent and Eucalyptus oil actually eliminated up to 95% of the Dust Mites in the wool whereas washing in hot water and detergent alone only eliminates about 4% of the mites. The amazing thing is that, with Eucalyptus Oil and detergent they were able to do this at a lower temperature, thus preserving the integrity of the fabric.
But... WOW their products are EXPENSIVE AND they don't disclose what type of Eucalyptus oil they use, which carriers or how much of each ounce is Eucalyptus oil and how much is carrier. There are many types of Eucalyptus listed for sale at my favorite wholesaler - http://libertynatural.com...including:
- Eucalyptus 80/85% Australia (Eucalyptus Globulus)
- Eucalyptus Blue Mallee Australia (Eucalyptus Polybractea)
- Eucalyptus Gully Gum Australia (Eucalyptus SmithII)
- Eucalyptus Lemon Madagascar (Eucalyptus Citriodora)
- Eucalyptus Narrow Leaf Australia (Eucalyptus Radiata)
- Eucalyptus Narrow Leaf PREMIUM Australia (Eucalyptus Radiata)
- Eucalyptus Peppermint Australia (Eucalyptus Dives)
Confusing... so many types - which type works best against mites? Liberty Naturals doesn't "instruct" - they just sell excellent quality oils at great prices.
So I started searching and found that many other sites suggest Eucalyptus oil and many sell sprays but most of them aren't mentioning contents or which type of Eucalyptus they use. I found one site - in the UK - that did list ingredients:
Ingredients:
Purified water, Ethyl alcohol, Benzyl benzoate, PPG-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated caster oil, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Quaternium-26, Quaternium-22, Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang).
Okay... now we're getting somewhere! I don't know what half that stuff is - don't WANT to know and don't figure I NEED it in MY Mite killer! But now I DO know that Eucalyptus GLOBULUS aka
Eucalyptus 80/85% AUSTRALIA is effective against mites! While I searched around I also found mention of using citrus peel oils -
preferably Orange oil, Grapefruit oil, Lemon oil or Pine oil - and Spearmint Oil against mites. Those are some of my favorite oils... LOVE Orange and Spearmint - Lemon and Grapefruit are good too! So... I decided to create my own Dust Mite-icide Spray.
- Four Parts Eucalyptus Oil
- Two Parts Sweet Orange Oil
- One Part Spearmint Oil
- One Part Lemon Oil
- A few drops Grapefruit Oil
- A few drops Nutmeg Oil
Eucalyptus 80/85% AUSTRALIA (Eucalyptus GLOBULUS) is inexpensive in bulk...
$14.81 for 16 ounces pure Essential Oil. Sweet Orange is also very inexpensive. I imagine that the $50 All Natural Pain Relief, Inc. charges for 16 ounces of their Eucalyptus Spray will make at least ten times as much "homemade" spray. AND mine has marvelous air freshning qualities. I spray this directly into the intake filter on the A/C, spray it on my dust cloths while dusting, spray the curtains, window sills and frames, spray the mattress, the pillows, the carpet before I vacuum, even the dogs... some may think I go a bit overboard but I don't think so!! I keep an old pillow case in the laundry that I spray down and toss in the dryer with laundry.
