Organic Aromatherapy

You may be asking yourself, what is aromatherapy? What is Bergamot Essential Oil and how is it used in Aromatherapy? I will explain this to you.

There are a few ways in which essential oils are extracted from the actual plants. Most oils are extracted using steam distillation. However, Bergamot is actually expressed from the peel of a tiny tree called Citrus Bergamia. This oil is one of the many citrus scented oils. The scent is refreshing and uplifting. As an interesting note, it originated in Italy and was named after the town of Bergamo.

There are numerous healing properties that Bergamot is known for. Some of these properties includes carminative, cicatrisant, deodorant, digestive, febrifuge, sedative, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary.

Bergamot is commonly used in treating many different ailments including intestinal parasites, nervousness, eczema stress, anxiety, fear, depression and tension. It balances emotions, so it is a wonderful oil to blend with some Jojoba or Sunflower oil and use it for massages. Because of its citrus scent, I often use it in my diffuser. I have an awesome car diffuser that plugs into your lighter all you need is a few drops in this and your car will smell fantastic.

Something that you should consider regarding this oil is that it is photosensitizing so it should be avoided when you are exposed to the sun. So if you want to create your own skin moisturizer, I would avoid using this oil. Many people are also very sensitive to this oil, so use caution when using this on your skin. Remember, less is more with any essential oil, use it sparingly.

As you can see Bergamot Oil has great uses and should be added to your list of preferred essential oils, however, you need to keep in mind that this oil is rarely used nowadays because it is very expensive. Four ounces of this oil would cost you about $45.00.

You may be asking yourself, what is aromatherapy? What is Basil Essential Oil and how is it used in Aromatherapy? I will explain this to you.

There are a few ways in which essential oils are extracted from the actual plants. Most oils are extracted using steam distillation. Basil Oil is steam extracted from the Ocimum Basilicum plant using its flowering tops and leaves. The plant itself has a sweet and spicy aroma. The scent of the plant is very stimulating to the mind.

There are numerous healing properties that Basil Oil is known for. Some of these properties includes analgesic, anti-depressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, cephalic, diaphoretic, digestive, expectorant, insecticide, stomachic, sudorific, tonic and stimulant.

Basil Oil is commonly used in treating many different ailments including bronchitis, chronic cold, depression, earaches, epilepsy, fainting, fevers, gout, hiccups, hysteria, insomnia, mental fatigue, migraines, nausea, nervous tension, paralysis, respiratory disorders, vomiting and whooping cough. It is mostly used in skin and hair care products from an aromatherapy perspective. Basil is an excellent stimulant for hair growth. You can blend basil and lavender essential oil with some jojoba oil and massage into the roots of your hair. Also gently brush the oil all the way through to the tips of your hair as well. This cleans out your hair follicles to stimulate your hair to grow.

Basil Oil has a warming effect to it as well. You can blend Basil Essential Oil with Sunflower Oil to make a fantastic massage oil. Because Basil Oil is used to treat depression and fatigue, a gentle massage from your significant other is not only relaxing, it calms your nerves and gives you an overwhelming feeling of content.

As you can see, Basil Oil has great uses and should be added to your list of preferred essential oils.

Have you ever felt the need for some extra energy?  Aromatherapy will help you get that extra kick that you need, especially when it is mixed with a nice back rub from your significant other.

I blend an ounce of Sunflower Oil with 13 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil.  My husband provides the back rub and before I know it, I have just that extra kick of energy that I’m looking for!

Lemons really do not like cold temperatures, therefore, you shouldn’t keep them refrigerated.  You should leave them in a bowl like I do, in a warm dry spot in the kitchen.

I know that you are thinking that your lemons will spoil more quickly, however, there is something you can do to keep them longer.  Take just a couple of drops of your Organic Lemon Essential Oil and rub in on the outside of the lemon skin.  This will help keep your lemons longer and you won’t loose any essential vitamins by refrigeration!

If you are a person that loves aromatherapy and making your own skin care products, I have found a fantastic blend to make your own shower gel.  I absolutely adore the smell of Sandalwood Essential Oil.  It has a woody, sweet and exotic scent that lingers throughout the day. 

It has healing properties that includes antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, emollient and sedative.  It is commonly used in treating acne, bronchitis, catarrh, cough, depression, insomnia, nausea and nervous tension.  I simply add 15 drops per ounce of unscentedorganic shower gel and use daily.  If you are one that suffers from anxiety (nervous tension) this helps me tremendously!

Organic orange essential oil has a wonderful scent and it has many, many uses. It is commonly used in treating constipation, flatulence, detoxification, cold, flu, digestive problems, water retention, insomnia and nervous tension.  It is also used as an anti-septic.

You see the advertisements everywhere for cleaning products using the power of orange.  I find organic orange essential oil to work much better when you make your own products using it.  For example; do you need to freshen your toilet or garbage disposal?  I simply place a few drops in, flush and rinse and voila, a wonderful and clean aroma.  I also clean my jewelryusing orange essential oil.  I add 15 drops to an ounce of hydrogen peroxide and let my jewelry soak.  My diamonds shine as they did when I first got them.

Oregano Essential Oil has great qualities that can boost the immune system.  Oregano Essential Oil has  powerful anti-biotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal qualities to it.

There are so many articles and news recaps going around about the potential outbreak of the swine flu this year.  Since Oregano Essential Oil is also used as an anti-septic, I have made my next home batches of shampoo, conditioner and body wash using my non-scented organic base and adding 18 drops of oregano essential oil per ounce of my organic base (shampoo, conditioner and body wash).  This is so easy to prepare and if it oregano can boost the immune system, I will do whatever I can to combat the chances of coming down with it.

The medical establishment has derived a number of techniques over the years to deal with depression, and many of these take the form of prescription drugs. The side effects of pills can be just as damaging in their own way as the disease they are meant to treat, and pharmaceuticals aren’t always the answer. In the case of mild depression, aromatherapy could be used as a viable treatment option. Essential oils work to naturally soothe the body and ease the mind.

The sandalwood fragrance has long been associated with treatments for depression, anxiety and nervousness. Rather than reaching for the nearest pill or drowning your sorrows in alcohol, try relaxing with a healthy, natural alternative. The positive effects of aromatherapy may differ greatly on a case-by-case basis, but you’ll never know how it may affect you until you give it a try.

I also have gotten used to making my own toiletry product using essential oils with organic shampoo, conditioner, bath and shower gels and body lotion.  I’ve recently began to make my own hair conditioner. 

Lemongrass Essential Oil is my favorite scent of all essential oils because it is so crisp and clean.  All I do is create a 3% dilution blend by mixing 15 drops or Lemongrass Essential Oil with an organic, unscented conditioner.  This makes about and ounce of hair conditioner.  It lasts me about a week.  I like making an ounce at a time to keep it nice and fresh.

Hydrosols are also known as flower waters and are made from direct steam distillation of plant materials.  Certain parts of a plant are hydrophilic, which means when you steam them these parts will turn into water, which, in turn becomes a hydrosol. 

Hydrosols are very fragrant and cooling.  They work great to freshen up your skin and/or any room in your home.  You can also use them as a deodorant!  I use the Lavender Facial Spray on my face, underarms and feet.  I also spray in the bathroom and around the cats litter boxes.  If you like the smell of lavender, this is the spray for you!  As a hint, keep it in the refrigerator to get a really cool uplift when you need it!