The Aromatherapy House Medicine Chest – Part I: The Essential

Essential oils provide a howling natural-medicine alternative to common ailments we see at home. Their actions are broad and diverse, locomote from topical antiseptics and anti-inflammatories to analgesics, organic process system tonics, and anti-depressants. Spell essential oils should not be a substitute for professional medical care, they can be with success employed for many an minor complaints, and as adjuncts to else therapies.

Here we wish have a brief look at ten essential oils considered by several to comprise the ‘basic house care kit’. Spell by no means exhaustive, this list wish go a long way to providing effective (and often pleasant!) treatments for you and your family for things like cuts and scrapes, sunburn, organic process troubles, stress related conditions and more. In the second article, we wish cover specific applications and uses of each oil.

Oil #1: Lavender
Lavender has often been called the ‘medicine chest in a bottle’ for its broad range of applications. Every house should keep Lavender on hand, even as if no else oil is used, as it is so really effective on burns. It’s anti-inflammatory action is responsible for the beginnings of modern aromatherapy, as Dr. Jean Valnet discovered Lavender’s healing properties after being burned in a laboratory accident. Lavender is considered to speed wound healing and reduce scarring. The oil is likewise pleasantly calming, and can be used to reduce stress in a variety of situations – a unremarkably used technique is to apply Lavender oil ‘neat’ (undiluted) to the soles of the feet of patients sick from just about any ailment.

Oil #2: Tea Tree
When 1st examined for it’s antiseptic properties, Tea Tree essential oil was found to be 100 times much powerful than carbolic acid – the medical standard at the time. Tea tree has an extremely broad range of antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties that have been confirmed by modern scientific research. Often used locally on small wounds, Tea Tree is likewise unremarkably found in oral hygiene preparations, and can likewise be effectively employed for Candida, athlete’s foot and acne, among else things.

Oil #3: Peppermint
An superior organic process tonic, Peppermint essential oil can truthfulness many an stomach complaints. For the traveler, it’s effectiveness on calming motion sickness can be of great help. Further, at least eight controlled studies have shown Peppermint oil to be effective in reducing symptoms of irritable internal organ syndrome, a painful condition of the intestines. On the far side it’s keep of the organic process system, Peppermint is delightfully stimulating to the mind, brightening and sharpening mental focus. Finally, Peppermint is considered by several to be a much effective insect repellent than citronella once used on the body (rather than in the encompassing air).

Oil #4: Chamomile
Ah, the great tension reliever, Chamaemelum nobilis oil. This extremely gentle essential oil is useful for a wide variety of nervous conditions, and is often indicated for cases of stress in children (including growing and general ‘crankiness’). Rubbing into the star bodily structure is a unremarkably used application if that is wherever one tends to ‘hold tension’. Chamaemelum nobilis essential oil is accessible in to varieties, German or Blue Chamaemelum nobilis and Roman Chamomile. The Roman variety is most often used for stress relief, whereas the German variety has the adscititious bonus of being an extremely effective anti-inflammatory.

Oil #5: Eucalyptus
Another essential oil with a broad range of properties, Eucalyptus is most often used for metastasis conditions, being useful in clearing congestion with coughs and colds. However, it’s effects are for sure not limited to the airways – because of it’s broad range of effects, it has been called the aromatherapists ‘designer oil’. Eucalyptus oil can cool the body in Summer (or due to fever – use in a compress), and keep the immune system in Winter. Disseminating Eucalyptus oil can kill most coccus bacteria, over again being adjuvant of cartilaginous tube infections. It is considered equally effective in cases of cystitis, candida, and sunburn, to name a few, as well as being an insect repellent.

Oil #6: Geranium
Geranium (sometimes better-known as ‘Geranium Rose’) works marvelously on several physiological and psychological levels. It’s floral aroma is brightening and uplifting, spell likewise working as a sedative. Malte Hozzel has ready-made this statement regarding this oil: "Geranium’s vital, sensual presence is not subtle, but direct & unavoidable, production it one of the oils of select for aphrodisiac qualities. (Geranium Essential Oil) inspires natural beauty & enjoyment, uplifts instantly & "tonifies" the mind & intellect in a powerful, nearly exigent attitude. Mobilizing hidden creative & emotional reserves, small indefinite amount us to rise to our own earthlike & spiritual identify. A fiery beauty for the spells of all worlds." Particularly noted for it’s effect on female physiological conditions, Herb oil can be effective for biological time problems, female internal reproductive organ and breast complaints.

Oil #7: Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil is an effective physical and mental stimulant, whether used in a diffuser or in a morning bath. It’s slightly spicy, rather than floral aroma, has a warming effect particularly useful for rheumatoid joints and else muscular complaints. It likewise has a long history of treatment for colds and flu – Rosemary was a component of ‘Four Thieves Vinegar’, which robbers rubbed upon their bodies to prevent infection once up to no nice during the plague years of the middle ages. Also, Rosemary is the essential oil most often associated with up hair growth in cases of Alopecia.

Oil #8: Thyme
Thyme oil is a powerful antiviral, antibiotic, antiseptic and diuretic, although it should be employed with great care. There are many an types of Thyme oil available, but only the ‘linalol’ chemotype is appropriate for use with children; all varieties should be diluted prior to topical application. Given the precautions, Thyme can be a 1st line of defense in cases of flu, being used in a room diffuser. It likewise supports elimination of cytotoxic wastes from the body (particularly noted for excessive excreta acid), and it’s warming quality can eliminate mucose and phlegm. It’s application for the organic process system is that of a powerful anti-parasitic, and for the muscular system, it can be helpful for rheumatic aches and pains. Thyme oil may likewise be adjuvant in cases of hair loss.

Oil #9: Lemon
A recent study on test-taking college students showed the diffusion of Lemon oil into a room improved test scores much than any else oil. In addition to it’s mind-brightening qualities, it can likewise clean room air and act as a natural deodorant. Lemon has been noted to keep liver function, and is likewise unremarkably used to assist in weight loss and fatty tissue reduction. In blends, lemon adds a pleasant top note, and can create a synergistic effect with else oils. Finally, Lemon oil is unremarkably used as several a fragrance and flavoring agent.

Oil #10: Clove
The power of Clove essential oil is noted upon the 1st sensing of the aroma – it is quite strong, sharp and earthy. Clove oil has been found to be the strongest anti-oxidant of any essential oil, and is a component of ‘longevity’ formulas. It is likewise an extremely potent antibacterial, effective against a broader range of microbes than any else oil except mayhap Oregano – Clove oil has even as been employed to sterilize surgical instruments. Clove likewise has analgesic properties, and can be used to temporarily reduce the pain of toothache. Clove oil (or ground cloves) is likewise a component of Dr. Huda Clark’s anti-parasite protocol, small indefinite amount eliminate parasites from one’s organic process system. This is a really powerful oil which should be diluted to 1% or less for topical application.

So, there we have a possible ‘top ten’ essential oils for the house medicine chest, a selection with an extremely broad range of uses for common ailments seen in a family setting. It is important to note that all essential oils are powerful, and they should be treated with caution and respect. Always refer to a trusty source before production specific applications of any oil, as many an can be irritating or possibly cytotoxic if used incorrectly.

To help employ these oils in your home, however, we wish examine much specific uses of each essential oil in part II of this article. This wish assist you in victimisation these howling medicines of nature in your daily routine.

Just about THE AUTHOR
Misty Rae Cech is a Therapist and Yoga teacher in Boulder, Colorado. She is the owner of Ananda Apothecary, an online dispensery of pure organic essential oils and flower essences. Misty employs essential oils and flower essences in her practice, finding them a howling natural way to keep her clients.