In the 1992 issue of the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, it explains the potential of aromatherapy to “promote health and well-being” in hospital patients through massage, inhalation, baths, compresses, creams and lotions. The consensus of the journal’s wide-ranging list of potential uses, aromatherapy can reduce stress, sedate, relieve depression, invigorate, promote activity and alertness, stimulate sensory awareness, facilitate interaction and communication, treat certain medical problems and provide pain relief. Interestingly enough, anesthetists in numerous hospitals have utilized a strawberry scent on ether masks to calm children before surgery for many years. In addition, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is using vanilla to relax their patients who are undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. Unlike chemical drugs, essential oils do not remain in the body. They are excreted through urine and feces, perspiration, and exhalation. Expulsion takes three to six hours in a normal healthy body and up to fourteen hours in an obese or unhealthy body. They leave no toxins behind. And essential oils make much more sense as air fresheners than commercial products, as they cleanse the air by altering the structure of the molecules creating the smells, rather than masking the unwanted smells. Additionally, when you are looking for alternatives to toxic products in our homes and in our lives, essential oils are a convenient, practical, and pleasant solution.

MORE THAN JUST CHARM

Because essential oils are so sweet-smelling, you might assume that their value is essentially one of charm. There is where you are entirely wrong! These substances are very complex in their molecular structure, and very, very powerful. The essential oil of oregano, for instance, is 26 times more powerful as an antiseptic than phenol, which is the active ingredient in numerous commercial cleansing products.

For effective therapeutic use, it is very important that only pure essential oils are used. What that means is that it should be natural plant essences which have been extracted by steam distillation, solvent extracted, expression, maceration, or enfleurage. Don’t waste your money on reconstituted products or chemical copies, as they do not have any medicinal value and have actually been determined to be quite harmful. In addition, storage is important. The oils should be kept in brown or dark-colored bottles away from light, heat, and dampness. Keep tops closed when not in use, and the therapeutic life of essential oils is roughly two years.

There are a lot of books out there to further educate you on the wonderful medicinal properties of essential oils. These are a few of my favorites:

The Complete Book Of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art
Aromatherapy, Essential Oils for Vibrant Health and Beauty

Here is one of my personal favorites from author Roberta Wilson that I use when I have writers block.

CONCENTRATION BATH BLEND

• 2 Drops of Basil Oil
  
• 2 Drops Laurel Oil
  
• 1 Drop Eucalyptus Oil
  
• 1 Drop Peppermint Oil

Disperse the essential oils in a bathtub filled with warm water. Soak in bath for twenty minutes and repeat as needed.

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said that “the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.”