| Aromatic herbs and oils have been used since ancient | | | | effective insect repellants. Some can aid in the |
| times in religious rites, for perfumes, cosmetics, and for | | | | treatment of acne and fungal conditions, while others |
| therapeutic and medicinal purposes. Written records | | | | help oily skin or act as moisturizers for dry skin. |
| documenting various uses of herbs and essential oils | | | | Essential oils are often used in home made bath |
| made from herbs, go back as far as four thousand | | | | products such a bath salt combinations and hand |
| years. Ancient India, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and | | | | made soaps. It is a good idea to test for skin sensitivity |
| Rome all document the usage of aromatic herbs and | | | | before committing yourself to creating a whole batch |
| oils. | | | | of home made product using essential oils. If you use |
| The modern practice of aromatherapy was introduced | | | | essential oils at home, check for toxic properties of the |
| in the late 1920's, when Rene-Maurice Gattefosse | | | | oils that interest you. |
| discovered the healing properties of lavender. He | | | | You can research and learn which oils would benefit |
| noticed that lavender oil, when applied to a burn on his | | | | your skin type or special skin conditions. Learn which |
| hand, seemed to heal the wound quickly and later | | | | ones are beneficial to mood enhancement. Some oils |
| thought that it reduced scaring. He then became | | | | are stimulants while others encourage relaxation. A |
| interested in the therapeutic uses of essential oils. | | | | stimulating oil like peppermints better to used in the |
| Gattefosse concluded that natural oils were more | | | | shower before work, while a relaxing one, like valerian |
| effective than artificially produced synthetics. | | | | is best used for a soothing bath before bed. |
| Dr. Jean Valnet treated psychiatric patients in a | | | | Learn how to blend essential oils to create unique |
| program using essential oils and published his results in | | | | fragrances. The proper combination of scents make |
| 1964, calling the therapy 'Aromatherapie'. | | | | for long lasting, pleasant aromas. Blending oils that do |
| The word, aromatherapy, may be construed to mean | | | | not go well together can lead to a product that does |
| that they scent itself is the primary source of healing. | | | | not smell good or an aroma that does not have |
| But it is more than just fragrance. Essential oils | | | | staying power. |
| penetrate the skin and influence body chemistry, as | | | | Essential oils can be purchased through herbalists, at |
| we see in the use of oils in massage. For instance, if | | | | specialty shops, ethnic groceries, or online. Shop around |
| garlic oil is rubbed on the soles of your feet, a garlic | | | | when looking for these wonderful oils. Essential oils can |
| odor will appear on your breath some time later. | | | | be very expensive and there is a wide discrepancy |
| So, aromatherapy has several avenues of affecting a | | | | between pricing. Just remember, when you buy oils, |
| person. | | | | purchase natural essential oils and not the artificial |
| Using natural oils in your bath a few drops sprinkles in | | | | fragrance oils. While the synthetics may smell nice, |
| the tub, mixed with various bath products and lotions, | | | | they do not have the lasting power that essential oils |
| or added to soap can effect your mood with its scent. | | | | do, and they do not have the therapeutic properties |
| Various oils can also be useful to heal wounds, skin | | | | that can improve your skin. |
| irritations, rashes, and insect bites. Certain oils are | | | | |