Lavender photo by snowrideguy

If you believe that smells affect the way you feel, and your attitude can affect your health, aromatherapy may be just the energizing natural remedy for you.

“Aromatherapy can 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.”[1] “Essential oils are [extracted] from a plant’s flowers, leaves, stalks, bark, rind, or roots.”[2] Combined with carrier oils, lotions, or diffused into the air, essential oils can stimulate the nerves and the brain thus affecting other bodily functions like blood-pressure pulse, and mood. “As a holistic medicine, Aromatherapy is both a preventative approach as well as an active treatment during acute and chronic stages of illness or ‘dis’-ease.”[3]

A caution before going further: since many oils are extremely potent, never swallow them, and never use them undiluted. Also use caution when introducing oils to children as they can be very sensitive. If you have a specific chronic illness and especially if you are pregnant, it is wise to consult with your doctor before using aromatherapy. You may want to read more about safety concerns from the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy here.

Nevertheless, I bumped into aromatherapy because it is frequently a beneficial component of natural body care. I started reading…and that will always get you in trouble…and came across a multitude of additives in my “supposed favorite” commercial bath and beauty products. Octyldodecanol, phenoxyethanol, and dimethicone, do not occur organically in nature. Octyldodecanol helps form an emulsion that prevents the water and oils in the product from separating. Phenoxyethanol helps retard bacteria growth and dimethicone is an antifoaming agent…do I need this in my lotion? Though all three have been approved for consumer use by the FDA[4], I still don’t want to put these on my skin. I can’t even pronounce them and I took two semesters of O-Chem in college!

German chamomile photo by blumenbiene

So I decided it was time to start making my own bath and beauty products. I picked up this book, Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Toules, ordered a couple of ingredients, and got to work in my kitchen. 10 recipes later, I am hooked. My hair and skin now look and feel better. My dandruff is gone. And I love that all of the ingredients and fragrances in my products came from something organically grown in the ground.

I really like that the therapeutic essential oils in my homemade bath and beauty products are both physically and mentally restoring.

Here are a few of my personal favorites:

Calendula – (Calendula officinalis)

Known for calming, anti-inflammatory, and skin-healing properties. Especially helpful for sensitive or acneic skin types.

German Chamomile – (Matricaria recutita)

Known for calming and healing. Most useful in the treatment of allergies, eczema, psoriasis and itchy, dry skin problems.

Geranium – (Pelargonium graveolens)

Helps to relieve stress, fatigue, and anxiety. Best used on mature, and classic combination skin.

Helichrysum photo by Eric M Martin

Helichrysum- (Helichrysum italicum)

Known as a potent anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic. Used for sensitive, inflamed, irritated skin, bruises and sprains.

Lavender – (lavandula angustifolia)

Known for its relaxing and calming effects on central nervous system. Also helps relieve sunburns, insect bites, blemishes, headaches, flu, and menstrual cramps.

Sweet Orange – (citrus sinensis)

Use this one as a sedative, calming agent and to help relieve anxiety.

Peppermint – (Mentha piperita)

It is cooling, deodorizing, stimulating, and antiseptic. It is helpful for oily and combination skin as well as acneic skin.

Tea Tree Oil – (melaleuca alternifolia)

A potent antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral. It helps acne, infections, and rashes.

(Please note, this is educational information and does not to take the place of professional consultation.)

There are some simpler ways to access the benefits of these essential oils than cooking up your own body lotion in the kitchen:

• At bedtime I like to place a couple drops of lavender onto a 1” square cloth in a small dish to make a calming reminder near my bed.
• When my kids have stuffy noses, I dilute tea tree oil with a bit of jojoba oil (usually a 1 tea tree drop to 3 jojoba drops ratio, though tea-tree oil is actually a very safe oil and can be used undiluted with caution) and wipe it on the collar of their pajamas. It helps clear their sinuses and lets them fall fast asleep.
• When I need a clear mind for blog writing and doing research I put a bit of ginger essential oil on a cloth in dish and keep it near the computer for a pick-me-up.

Martha Stewart’s Whole Living website has some other great aromatherapy recipes here.

Sweet orange photo by bambolia

When you are seeking to purchase essential oils be sure they originate from an authentic source. I like oils that are certified organic and avoid oils that are synthetic or are diluted. I have been quite pleased with these mail order companies–Simplers :: Mountain Rose Herbs. They have a wide variety of quality dried and powdered flowers, peels, leaves, and roots, essential oils, butters, carrier oils, and containers.

I hope this very brief introduction to the world of aromatherapy piqued your interest and that you are eager to learn more. Go to the library and search out a few resources. Google a few sites to keep learning. Start out slow. Keep your eye out for authenticity. And I know you’ll be hooked on the chemical-free bath and beauty products you can make right at home.

[2]WebMD.com. http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/tc/aromatherapy-essential-oils-therapy-topic-overview

[3] National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. http://www.naha.org/what_is_aromatherapy.htm

[4] Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database Skin Deep. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/