QUESTION: Which oils are useful when there are cold germs around? ANSWER: When there are cold germs around my house, I use Cajeput, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Thyme and Tea Tree. Some of these oils come with safety cautions (see Safety Information) that would apply even if you were just to diffuse them […]
essential oil
Aromatherapy and Weight Loss
QUESTION: I am 20 pounds over my ideal weight. Is there anything in aromatherapy to help lose weight? ANSWER: Research studies have proved the success of using fragrances for appetite control. An essential oil is intensely smelled for 5 – 7 minutes and has been found to reduce the appetite. Usually culinary type essential oils […]
ADHD – Alternatives to Ritalin
Question: I am desperately trying to avoid giving my 9 year old Ritalin for ADHD. Her behavior, impulsiveness and distractibility have caused all facets of her life to suffer. Of course the “mental health” professionals have an easy answer, a little green pill twice a day. We have switched to a whole foods diet but […]
Top Ten Things to Know About Aromatherapy
1) Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and their hydrosols for health and well-being. 2) Essential oils are used in inhalations and skin applications. 3) Essential oils effect the physical body and the mind. 4) Essential oils must be diluted before applying to the skin and are not generally recommended for internal use. (These […]
Essential Oil Safety Information
**If you're looking for a certain herb or oil, use the find function of your browser by pressing ctrl+ f on windows, or command+f on mac** We do not recommend the internal use of any Essential Oils or Absolutes. Never use essential oils as a substitute for necessary medical care. Always consult a qualified […]
Essential Oil Profile: Wintergreen
By Ingrid Petres Never use wintergreen oil internally!!! If using wintergreen externally properly dilute (1-2 drops per ounce of carrier)! Avoid use on children, pets, pregnant women, or broken skin Common name: Wintergreen Latin Binomial: Gaultheria procumbens Family: Ericaceae Other common names: Teaberry, Checkerberry, Mountain Tea Part used: leaves Production method: Wintergreen essential oil […]
Essential Oil Profile: Tea Tree
by Marie Temmen Common Name: Tea Tree (or Ti Tree) Latin Binomial: Melaleuca alternifolia Family: Myrtaceæ Part Used: Leaves Extraction Method: Steam Distillation Country of Origin: Australia Tea Tree essential oil is currently one of the most popular of the essential oils. Herb stores, aromatherapy catalogues, cosmetic counters and drug stores abound with […]
Essential Oil Profile: Litsea Cubeba
by Marie Temmen Common Name: May Chang Latin Binomial: Litsea cubeba Family: Lauraceae Other Common Names: Exotic verbena, tropical verbena (not related to lemon verbena). Part Used: Litsea cubeba is obtained from the small pepper shaped fruits which resemble peppers. Production Method: Oil is obtained by steam distillation. Countries of Origin: China is […]
Essential Oil Profile: Helichrysum
by Marie Temmen Common Name:Everlasting Latin Binomial:Helichrysum italicum, Helichrysum angustifolium Family: Asteraceae (Compositae) Other Common Names: Immortelle, St. John’s herb Part Used: Flowering tops Production Method:steam distillation (an absolute may be produced by solvent extraction.) Countries of Origin: Helichrysum is native to the Mediterranean. It is […]
Essential Oil Profile: Clary Sage
by Marie Temmen Common name: Clary Sage Latin binomial: Salvia sclarea Plant family: Labiatae History/folklore: Clary sage has an interesting history that reveals itself in the names which were applied to this plant. Medieval authors called the herb “clear eye” and considered it beneficial in healing visual problems. The name “clary” is derived from […]