Aromatherapy -A Natural and Inexpensive Way to Help Keep your Family Healthy
A Health Tip from Diane Edwards – CM, FLMS
Aromatherapy using naturally occurring oils is a fairly new concept to many, but it has been traced back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. Most have heard how Aromatherapy can change our mood. You might be surprised to learn using essential oils have healing properties as well! For example just putting a drop of peppermint oil on the temples and back of neck can relieve a headache.
However, one of my most exciting findings has been to use essential oils to help protect my family from cold and flu symptoms. It’s also great for allergies, sinus infections and any respiratory illness.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential Oils are distilled from plants’ leaves, bark, flowers and stems. These are the most potent aromatic molecules of any plant. These oils have many uses including bath, massage, hair care and even room air fresheners.
One Health Application for Aromatherapy
I fill a potpourri pot with water. (I purchased an electric one in the craft section at Walmart.) I then put a few drops each of these essential oils: peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and tee tree oil. (The tea tree oil actually kills bacteria.) I plug this in by the bed where these oils can do their job all night. I like using the electric potpourri pot, because there are no flames involved that may cause a fire. (It is a good idea to clean the pot daily to kill unwanted germs.)
REMEMBER: A little goes a VERY long way, so start with 1 or 2 drops.
For daytime use, you can put a drop of each on a tissue and throughout the day, put it up to your nose and take some deep breaths. This is also good during allergy season.
In addition to the potpourri pot for extra help with a nasty flu or even sinus infection, boil water and put one drop of each in a bowl. Put your head over the bowl with a towel over your head making a tent. Inhale for about 10 minutes. – This should be repeated morning and night – more often if possible. It might take a few days, but you’ll notice a big difference in sinus congestion, throat and lungs.
When our family does this, cold and flu symptoms leave quickly, often never allowing it to turn into a full-blown cold. With the flu, it seems to clear up in just a few days as opposed to a week or more.
Other Essential Oils Uses and Tips
Essential Oils may be purchased in your local health food store or a “Whole Foods” store and can be used as following:
– A few drops in a hot tub to provide a very relaxing bath.
– Put a few drops of oil on ring burners and place them on top of a light bulb. The heat from the bulb will vaporize the oils into the air.
– Instead of using synthetic potpourri’s or spray room fresheners, use essential oils that will scent the air and make any room in your home pleasant.
– I also use a few drops of oil in the water I soak my towels in that I use for facials. It is very refreshing and relaxing to my clients.
More and more people are realizing how important it is to get the artificial preservatives, additives and chemicals out of our lives. Aromatherapy, using essential oils, is one which keeps us healthier and happier.
Photo by Naomi King 
And they all smell great! Good Article.