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Live Healthy by Using Essential Oils, Roots and Herbs.Essential Oils & Aromatherapy.
Essential oils, roots and herbs can be used in a variety of ways to
promote healthy living. They are used to create natural remedies for
treating ailments common to both people and animals, to add flavor to
food, to make perfumes and to create environmentally friendly cleaning
products.
You do not have to own a garden to tap into the benefits of plants,
roots and herbs. A few herb pots located by a sunny window are enough
to get you started. Then, all you need are some essential oils and you
are ready to go.
[Power Tip] Learn all about Essential Oils here!
For therapeutic purposes, only the purest oils will do. It is
possible to be fooled into thinking that you are purchasing a pure oil.
Often, a lesser quality blend of several oils is used to mimic the
properties of the pure oil. Blended oils are acceptable for fragrance
purposes such as for perfuming a room, but pure oils are a "must" for
medicinal purposes.
A reasonable guide to the purity of an essential oil is its price.
Pure essential oils are generally more expensive. Common oils such as
lavender and geranium are much cheaper than frankincense and carnation
oil. It is advisable to become familiar with essential oil prices and
then rely on this knowledge when purchasing oils from unfamiliar
sources. Keep in-mind that you will generally get what you pay for. A
price list from a reputable dealer is a valuable resource when
purchasing essentials oils.
Usually, pure essential oils cannot be applied directly to the skin
and must be mixed in a base oil to reduce their strength. Base oils
such as almond oil or wheatgerm oil are commonly used for this purpose.
Base oils are generally derived from seeds, nuts or vegetables and
allow you to create essential oil remedies that can be massaged into
the skin.
So, what do you need to get started with essential oils and natural remedies?
Without a doubt, Lavender is one of the most useful and desirable
oils. Not only does it work wonders on cuts, bruises and burns, it also
aids sleep and helps with relaxation.
The Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils are useful for treating a variety
of respiratory ailments. These are excellent for the treatment of colds
and coughs. They can be massaged into the chest or burned in an oil
burner to help clear the airways and prevent congestion. Tea Tree oil
is a natural antiseptic and can be dabbed on cuts, bites and stings. It
is often used to treat spots and pimples and when diluted with water,
acts as a mouth gargle (keep in-mind it should never be swallowed).
Another basic antiseptic is Geranium oil. With its distinctive
perfume and pain relieving properties, it is a necessary inclusion when
starting out.
Peppermint oil should also be purchased as it treats digestive complaints and may be used in preparations for freshening breath.
For fragrant perfumes and establishing ambience in a room, buy some
Patchouli and Ylang-ylang oils. Often combined in scented candles and
air fresheners, a few drops of each in an oil burner creates a
wonderfully perfumed home.
Orange oil mixed with Cinnamon oil is a
lovely winter alternative that evokes seasonal, holiday smells. Besides
their perfume qualities, all four of these oils have other properties.
Patchouli treats eczema and dandruff. Ylang-ylang is reputed to relieve
stress, palpitations and high blood pressure. Orange is used in natural
remedies for depression and nervous tension and Cinnamon is excellent
for warts and viral infections.
The herbs, Thyme and Rosemary can be grown in pots and used when
needed. To create essential oils from herbs, stew some large amounts in
pure water, collect the steam and cool it. The oil will rise to the top
of the drained water and can be collected with an eyedropper.
Alternatively, a "flower still" can be purchased to make the job
easier. Thyme and Rosemary are both antiseptics and can be used in skin
care preparations. They are also delicious when used in cooking.
Lemon oil and fresh lemons will purify water and, when mixed with
honey, are effective remedies for colds and flu. Lemon and white
vinegar are highly efficient cleaning agents that can be used for
domestic cleaning tasks without damaging the environment. Use white
vinegar as a natural disinfectant or mix it with water to clean windows
and wooden floors. It is also handy to keep a bottle of white vinegar
in your car if you swim in the ocean. It will bring instant relief from
jellyfish stings.
Citronella oil is perfect in summer to keep the insects at bay.
Another natural repellent is Garlic. Fleas will not bite a dog that has
been eating garlic, so a few garlic capsules in the dog food are a
cheap solution to your pet's flea problem. A soft collar soaked in
Citronella will also do the job.
Garlic also helps to promote a healthy immune system when the
weather turns cold and viruses begin to circulate. In fact, most of the
oils and herbs listed above are effective in helping to prevent many
common winter illnesses.
Whether you are looking for remedies or nature friendly products to
use around the house, the oils and herbs suggested above should help
get you started. You will be ready to make some healthy changes in your
way of life!
[Power Tip] Learn all about Essential oils and Aromatherapy here!
Home > Herbal Remedies > Essential Oils
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