One of the most comprehensive, up-to-date encyclopedias of aromatherapy available today, this reference has more than 400 entries covering more than 200 conditions and 82 essential oils as well as recipes and formulae…. More >>

Aromatherapy: An A-Z: The Most Comprehensive Guide to Aromatherapy Ever Published

Aromatherapy is an art that has been around for centuries that consists of using certain scents to elicit certain responses. The benefits of aromatherapy are balked at by many who can’t fathom that smelling certain aromas can cause someone to feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and they certainly can’t believe that certain scents can relieve pain, but it’s true. Just by smelling certain aromas, aromatherapy can relieve all sorts of symptoms.

So, if you or someone you know still needs convincing as to the benefits of aromatherapy, it’s recommended that you give it a try. Once you light those candles, incense sticks, oil burners, or use any other aromatherapy product, you’ll be hooked as the benefits of aromatherapy will then become very apparent.

Choose Your Type

When testing out the benefits of aromatherapy, you have many options available to you. It all depends on your preference, as there is an aromatherapy product out there for everyone. If you like candles, aromatherapy candles are very popular. If you like incense, those, too, are very popular.  Read more...

This is a general index of the chakras. The essential oils suggested can be used in aromatherapy, massage, baths and other therapies.

1 – Root chakra

The Root chakra is about being physically present. Feelings of stability, safety and stamina are held here. This is the foundation chakra and is the first chakra of the system. When the root chakra is open we feel present in the here and now and feel that our physical space is sufficient, respected and connected to our physical body.

If the root chakra is closed we are insecure. We may be paranoid, fearful, and full of hatred and anger. We may be overly possessive. We may have low blood pressure, circulatory and sexual dysfunction.

Essential oils to help open the root chakra are vetiver, peppermint, frankincense, cedarwood, myrrh, carrot, cardamon, clove, oakmoss, patchouli, laurel, ginger, sandalwood and benzoin.

2 – Sacral chakra  Read more...

Basil (P, SS) Eases mental fatigue, stimulates poor memory and enhances alterness. beneficial as a digestive aid. relieves headache pain

Bergamot (SS, S) Great for nervous/depressed emotions. antiseptic for skin conditions regulates appetiteassists convalescence

Cedar, Himalayan (P, SS) A very calming oileases Bronchitis and respiratory ailmentscombats cellulite

Chamomile, Roman Aids skin conditions eases Migrainesrelieves Insomnia..soothing..anti-inflammatory use as a compress for ear-aches

Clary Sage (P) Avoid if Epileptic avoid alcohol, it may exaggerate the effects Produces vivid dreams eases Migraines balances female hormones.eases menstrual discomfort /PMS/ Menopause retards excessive Perspiration

Eucalyptus (P) Stimulatinganti-viral.. eases respiratory ailmentssoothes Sore Muscles and sunburn pain anti-bacterial properties inhibit spread of infection when used in a Diffuser

Frankincense Meditative.. tightens and tones skin anti-aging.. stimulates cell regeneration sooths and calms nerves treats Urinary Tract Infection.. anti-bacterial

Geranium, Rose Regenerates and rejujinates skin cells and tissue.. anti-cellulite.eases stress.. balances hormone problems during Menopause..relieves PMS

Ginger (SS) Relief from Arthritis pain, sprians, muscle aches and pains keeps sport muscles supple eases Motion Sickness, hangovers, jet lag sexual tonic  Read more...

Certain scents bring on sense and memory responses from your body. Using scents to help improve your mental state or your health is the basis of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy products, including oils and lotions, can be used to help promote your physical and mental health. Bring the power of aromatic scent into your home, car or office with aromatherapy products.

Quality aromatherapy oils are called essential oils. Aromatherapy oils are concentrated oils that the skin can absorb quickly, or the oils can be used in an aromatherapy diffuser to add scent to a room. Aromatherapy essential oils also come in small vials so that they easily fit in your purse, briefcase, or workout bag, allowing you to bring your aromatherapy treatment with you wherever you go.

 Read more...

If you have simply run out of gift ideas for your mom, sister, co-workers or best friend, then good news! Look no further than great aromatherapy gifts! Even if your friends and family have never tried essential oils or aromatherapy, they can certainly appreciate a nice personalized blend of your favorite scents and smells.

Types of gifts you can give: You can give so many different types of essential oils gifts and you will never get tired of coming up with great gift ideas. Aromatherapy gifts are very popular and they are relatively easy to find and inexpensive. They are gifts that are truly appreciated. In addition, you can dress up the gift and present a nice looking package that will impress.  Read more...

My Finding Inspiration series was written out of a need that comes up in my practice, most often in Spring and Fall. I feel we all need a bit of enlightenment now and then to help us move forward. Finding motivation through inspiration can be the spark which sets you on your way!

Natures Gifts

Spring is here. What better time to take advantage of the power of our sense of smell!

We can find great inspiration through the power of our olfactory senses. Spring time is the season of renewal, where flowers Blossom, all green things grow and people feel a renewal of energy within themselves. People even begin to wear lighter colored clothing to match the environment around them. Seek your inspiration in the scent of fresh flowers filling the air, as well as the bloom of green Herbs. Take advantage of these natural riches.

Utilize the Essence of Aromatherapy  Read more...

Essential oils are useful for a variety of purposes. They can be used for medicinal reasons or healing of the mind, for example. Most people buy their oils in small bottles ready to be used. However, you can sometimes make your own essential oils.

Sweet almond oil can be used as a base for essential oils. It is best if combined with vitamin E, because this is a natural preservative. To make a small amount of essential oil, use one half cup of the sweet almond oil with vitamin E.

Choose the type of essential oil you want to make. This will usually depend upon what plant materials you have at hand. If you have a rose garden, you might want to make rose oil. With an herb garden, you could make oil of thyme or oil of oregano. If you are making essential oils in winter, you could use citrus peels, such as lemon or grapefruit. To get started making essential oils, take your plant material and put it in plastic bag. Start with a cup of tightly packed flowers. Or, use a quarter cup of packed herbs or chopped fruit peel. Close the bag.  Read more...

Aromatherapy, sometimes also referred to as aromatic or scent medicine, is the art of healing the body using naturally distilled essences from different parts of plant to improve and enhance your everyday emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. These essences are known as Essential Oils.

What are Essential Oils?

These oils are the concentrated essences of the aromatic plant. They can be used as an analgesic (to alleviate pain), an anti-inflammatory (to reduce swelling), an anti-bacterial, an anti-fungal, an anti-viral (to prevent infections). Since scent stimlates the part of the brain that effects your emotions, Essential Oils can also sooth and calm.or energize and arouse.

These Essential Oils are highly concentrated and are measured in drops. They should be housed in dark colored air tight bottles in a cool area, out of direct light. Unless noted, they should not be applied directly to the skin, but instead placed in a Carrier Oil such as Almond oil, so as to avoid irritation.

How does aromatherapy work?  Read more...

When you start into the world of essential oils, you may be quite confused. As a novice, you will see a whole host of interesting aromatherapy products on the market. You know that essential oils are the basis of aromatherapy, but there are so many of them. When you start looking at the label, they leave you even more confused. What is the difference between the grades of oils and which ones are better?

As you shop for essential oils to use, you need to remember that just as with any product you buy, there are some that are better than others. You can buy cheap essential oils and if all you want to do is to make your home smell nice, then they may be okay. However, if you want the full benefits of the essential oil, then you should probably spend the extra cash on therapeutic grade essential oils.  Read more...

Did you know that essential oils have multiple uses? It is true! You can purchase good quality essential oils and use them to scent your home, disinfect and freshen your laundry, use them for healing purposes and add them to your first aid kit. Believe it or not, there are several different types of essential oils that you can use when you need to treat a fall, scratch, bite or burn quickly. Here is a look at some of the most popular essential oils to add to your first aid kit today.  Read more...

A rich resource on the applications of aromatherapy and its uses in everyday life, including aromas for the home, business environments, and essences for the elderly. … More >>

The Essential Oils Book: Creating Personal Blends for Mind & Body

What man would not love the idea of a nice massage? However, you have to be careful when indulging your man with essential oils. Whether used in aromatherapy to scent the home or used in a massage, your manly man, probably will not appreciate the floral and fruity smells that you like. You have to go beyond the girly scents and look for the ones that are masculine. After all, you would not like to have you man go around smelling like flowers either, would you? If you are ready to indulge your man in a little essential oil, then consider the following manly scents.

When reading the list of masculine smelling essential oils, it is important to remember that everyone has a unique sense of smell. What works for one man, may be hated by another. Get a few different scents and try them out. When you have found one or two that your man likes, remember that and use it often. Whether you use these essential oils alone with carrier oils for a massage, put a few drops in the bathwater or use them in lotions and crmes, your man will like they way these oils smell and makes him feel.  Read more...

Looking for a way to generate income? Get excited because according to Internet Retailers “Top 500 Guide”, health and beauty 2006 internet sales were more than $135 billion! We are starting to see more and more consumers are flocking to the internet to purchase their health and beauty products and what’s more is that consumers are becoming increasingly educated about the products they choose to use. There is more of an awareness and increasing desire to use all natural, organic products as consumers become more health conscious.

That’s great news but are you still wondering how this can benefit you? Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy practices. The oils, when used under the guidance and care of a medical professional or aromatherapy practitioner, offer an all natural way to treat minor ailments. In addition, they are also known to stimulate emotional balance within oneself. There is a lot of information on how and what to use these oils already prepared for you on the internet. The opportunity to financially benefit from this lies in the ability to relay this information and offer products for purchase and use.  Read more...

Learn how to use aromatherapy for better sleeping habits with expert sleeping tips in this free online healthy living video clip. Expert: Lisa La Barr Bio: Lisa La Barr is AFPA certified, a WAPF member, and a personal nutritionist in Beverly Hills. She has almost 10 years of health care experience working for top pharmaceutical companies. Filmmaker: Nili Nathan

When combining essential oil into aromatherapy, it’s important to remember the top, base, and middle notes. Learn more about mixing essential oils for aromatherapy in this free video from a professional aroma therapist. Expert: Malu Lujan Bio: Malu Lujan Filmmaker: Bing Hu

Peppermint is a wonderful plant. It is very versatile, smells great and can be used for many purposes. Kids and adults like love peppermint candies all times of the year, especially during the holidays. You can also use peppermint in aromatherapy for medicinal purposes. In fact, studies show that peppermint can actually give your mind a boost. When you are feeling a mid-day slump, pop a peppermint in your mouth or lit a peppermint scented candle and you will be ready to face the world.

Studies suggest that peppermint can be used for medicinal reasons as well. It is soothing to the throat when you are suffering from upper respiratory ailments and can stop a cold dead in its tracks. Plus, peppermint is safe for children, too. You can actually grow peppermint in your garden and use the leaves to spice up your recipes and drinks, too. You simply cannot go wrong with letting peppermint spice up your life a little.  Read more...

How can I determine the quality of the essential oil I am purchasing? A quick search on Google for essential oils suppliers will show that costs for essential oils varies and they vary a lot! How can you decide which oil to purchase? Here are a few factors to help you determine the level of quality of the oil you intend to purchase.

Essential oils are derived from plants. They go through a process which could impact the quality of the oil being used. The plants can be grown on a farm or “wild crafting” conditions and factors such as soil condition and rainfall affect can impact the oil quality. Essential oil descriptions should also contain the country of origin since the quality of the oil can vary from country to country. The use of pesticides or other chemicals can also impact the essential oil obtained. It is important to note that pesticides may also adulterate the essential oil if it is not eliminated in the manufacturing process. Adulteration becomes important if you plan on using the essential oil for therapeutic purposes. Even if you plan on using the oils as an air freshener, the aroma contains particles that enter your blood stream via inhalation.  Read more...

Here is some info on a few herbal essential oils that are a very helpful addition to your familys First Aid kit

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)

* Clary Sage is used in aromatherapy in preference to Sage (Salvia Officinalis) because Sage can be quite toxic. Clary possesses the positive effects of Sage without the danger. One should avoid the use of alcohol while using Clary Sage because the combination can bring on severe Nightmares. Clary produces a heightened state akin to euphoria and relaxation. It is used in treating Asthma, and during convalescence of the flu. It is used in abdominal massage for digestive problems. (Source: A-Z Aromatherapy by Patricia Davis)
* Most valuable uses: Muscular fatigue, menstrual problems, PMS, Fertility, exhaustion, Insomnia, Menopausal problems, calming, stress, depression, cramps, excessive Perspiration.
* Therapeutic properties: Antiseptic, calmative, tonic, emmenagogue, anti-infectious, anti-spasmodic, anti-sudorific, Aphrodisiac, Nerve Tonic, nervine, estrogen-like
* Main chemical components: Linalol, Linalyl Acetate, Germacrene, Ceranyl acetate
* Contraindication: Avoid during Pregnancy.

(Source: Essential Aromatherapy: A Pocket Guide to Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Susan Worwood Valerie Worwood)  Read more...

These are easy to make just follow the guidelines below.

Use 4 oz. of distilled water

To make a facial mist use 8-10 drops of Essential Oils per 4 oz. of distilled water.

30-40 drops per 4 oz. for a body spray

80-100 drops per 4 oz. for a room spray