Distilled essential oils have been employed as medicines since the invention of distillation in the eleventh century, when Avicenna isolated essential oils using steam distillation.
The concept of aromatherapy was first mooted by a small number of European scientists and doctors, in about 1907. In 1937, the word first appeared in print in a French book on the subject: Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales by René-Maurice Gattefossé, a chemist. An English version was published in 1993. In 1910, Gattefossé burned a hand very badly in a laboratory explosion. The hand developed gas gangrene (a deadly form of gangrene), which he successfully, and intentionally, treated with lavender oil.
Aromatherapy can (basically) be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It is an art and science, which seeks to explore the physiological, psychological and spiritual realm of the individual’s response to aromatic extracts as well as to observe and enhance the individual’s innate healing process.
Aromatherapists often employ the use of blended oils which is an oil created by expertly blending together specific oils to create a syptom / remedy specific oil. These blends offer far better results provided that you make sure you purchase from a reputable reseller.
The Earthlove opinion?
Even if you’ve never explored the wonderful properties of aromatherapy oils, you can start with a simple lemon solution to use as a cleaning liquid or Eucalyptus as a vaporizing agent when coughs and colds start bothering you and your family. So here’s our list – our Top 10 so to speak…
Our Top 10 Oils
Lavender oil; an oil with relaxing properties that can also be used to treat wounds and burns
Lemon; uplifting, yet relaxing. We love it for its house cleaning and deoderising properties
Tea Tree; A natural anti fungal oil, good for treating all sorts of fungal infections also helps to boost the immune system.
Chamomile; relaxing oil that is great for helping with sleeplessness and / or anxiety
Eucalyptus Essential Oil; is often used for respiratory conditions, clearing congestion with coughs and colds – it can be inhaled from a diffuser or from a steaming bowl of water.
Rosemary; useful for physical and mental fatigue, forgetfulness, respiratory problems, asthma, rheumatic aches and pains
Sandalwood; useful for dry, cracked, or chapped skin, acne, calming relaxation during meditation, aphrodisiac
Orange; is a cheerful oil which stimulates lymphatic drainage so is good for combating water retention and aiding detoxification
Ginger; is incredibly warming and can increase circulation especially when blended with lemon. Ginger is also a powerful digestive aid
Peppermint; is wonderful for getting rid of an insect invasion without bringing toxic chemicals into your home. Just add a few drops to a basin of warm water and then use a cloth to wipe down all your surfaces
These oils are easy to use and not expensive and are a part of my must-have list.
If you have more specific symptoms that you wish to treat, why don’t you try our Symptom Sorter (link to Earthlove Symptom Sorter)? This tool will introduce to a selection of expertly blended oils to treat your specific ailment.
H.B