Natural Health for Life: Aromatherapy

We wanted to introduce first a few of our favorite essential oils.

Lavender is a wonderful relaxant. You can add 5 - 10 drops to a warm bath to induce relaxation and improve sleep. A drop on the pillow (or on a cloth laid inside the pillowcase) near the face will help induce a relaxing sleep. It can be used topically on wounds or burns (many essential oils are too strong and will burn the skin, but lavender can be applied without mixing in a carrier oil). Added with water in a spray bottle or sponge bath it can help repel fleas and ticks on dogs (or humans!).

Eucalyptus is great used as an inhalant to treat congestion. (Camphor may be added.) Boil a couple of cups of water and add 3-5 drops of essential oil, then inhale the vapors for 5-10 minutes. It can also be used as a massage for muscle soreness.

Peppermint can "wake you up" if you are drowsing, and make you more mentally alert while at the same time relaxing you. It is good to use in classroom or test environments. Dabbed on the temples, it can relieve headaches. If you have a "food grade" peppermint oil, a drop added to water can help settle the stomach and freshen breath. Mixed in strong solution and sprayed near windows and doors, it helps repel insects and mice.

Clove oil is excellent for toothaches. The easiest way to apply it is to soak a pinch of cotton in the oil and apply it directly to the sore area. Unfortunately, it DOES generate a lot of saliva, especially the first time you use it, so be prepared. Leave in place until you feel relief from the pain.

Sweet Orange is helpful for cleansing the air from molds. It can be added to an air conditioning filter directly, or applied to a gauzy cloth that is placed over the filter, and will help remove some of the spores and improve respiratory health.

Rose oil is an especially nice touch for a romantic setting.

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