AROMATHERAPY

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Your Basic Care Kit

If I had to choose the ten most versatile and useful essential oils for the average home medicine chest, these would be they. Although these oils are chosen first for their medicinal properties and their ability to deal with a wide range of health complaints, you will find that they also feature throughout these web pages and are useful for a diversity of purposes from skin care to gardening and from home care to celebrations.The treatments outlined in this section are straightforward yet effective. Some of the conditions listed here are discussed in more detail in other pages of this web site.

Other useful additons to your ncare kit would be aloe vers , withch -hazel and rosewater. Aloe vera comes from the leaf of the cactus of this name and is a fine healing agent in itself for cuts, inflammations, burns, as well as being a good carrying agent fopr essential oils. It can be bought in gel or liquid form. Witch-hazel is extracted from a shrub and is known for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties Rose-water is a by-product of the distillation of the essential oil of roses and is useful for its mild antiseptic and soothing properties .

The 10 essential Oils of the Basic Care Kit

Lavender
Lavender is capable of many important jobs and is a delight to use. Every home should have a bottle of lavender, if no other oil, because it is so very effective in the treatment of burns and scalds. lavender oil is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative and de-toxifier which promotes healing and prevents scarring, and also stimulates the immune system and contributes to the healing process by stimulating the cells of a wound to regenerate more quickly. Although not known specifically as a circulatory stimulant, lavender oil certainly seems to ally the effects of clinical shock and as a mood tonic and anti-depressant it helps to deal with the psychological shock injury. It also has a multitude of other qualities which make it a truly indispensable oil

Tea Tree 

The antiseptic action of tea tree is thought to be one hundred times more powerful than carbolic acid - and yet is non -poisonous to humans! the aborigines have been using this indigenous Australian tree in their medications for centuries and today tea tree is the subject of a great deal of international research. Its impressive ant-viral ant-bacterial and anti-fugal properties make it useful in a whole range of conditions. It is used in the treatment of candida and all sorts of infections, for ringworm, sunburn, acne, athlete's foot, toothache and pyorrhoea, among other things.

Peppermint
Peppermint has been used by masny ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Chinese and American Insians, no doubt because of its extremely useful health-promoting properties. It is an excellent digestive, it helps the respiratory system and, it is an anti-inflammatory and an sntiseptic. These qualities make it a good oil in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence, bad breath, flu, catarrh, varicose veins, headaches and migranes, skin irritations, rheumatism, toothache, fatigue, It even keeps mice, fleas and ants away!

Chamomile
There are several types of chamomile essential oil. Chamomile German is an excellent variety and its beautiful deep dark blue colour, due to its high azulene content, comes as a bonus. Another excellent variety, chamomile roman is particularly good for the treatment of nervous conditions  and insomnia. Beware though of chamomile Maroc ( ormenis multicaulis) which is not a true chamomile and not to be used as such. Although chamomile is anti-bacterial, antiseptic and disinfectant, it is most valid for its anti-inflammatory properties. These apply to internal conditions like rheumatism, as well as external inflammations.

Chamomile is indispensable if you have children because it can be used for teething troubles and in the bath to ease nerves and tetchiness. Chamomile is used in the treatment of burns, including sunburn, psoriasis, eczema, asthma, hay fever, diarrhoea. sprains, and strains, nausea, fever and all nervous and depressive states.Its analgesic diuretic, sedative and calming properties make chamomile an extremely desirable oil. For kicking the tranquiliser habit it is invaluable, and in anorexia nervosa it is extremely helpful. As if this weren't enough chamomile is used in rejuvenation treatments.

Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus has been distilled from at least 1788 when two doctors John white and Dennis Cossiden, distilled eucalyptus piperata for its use in treating chest problems and colic. This was in Australia ehere the Blue Mountains of New South Wales are so called becaause of the extraordinary blue haze that exudes from the resin of the eucalyptus gum and envelopes the entire landscape. In such a powerfully aromatic environment, the medicinal qualities of this ancient tree would be hard to miss.

Eucalyptus is a marvelously versatile and useful oil. It cools the body in summer and protects it in winter. It is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anitbiotic, diuretic, analgesic and deodorising. Research has proved its anti-viral properties as well. It is best known for its effictiviness against coughs and colds but is equally effective in the treatment of cystitis, candida, diabetes and sunburn.While also being useful in veterinary care and as an insect repellent. Ther is a wide range of eucalyptus varieties, any of which could be useful in your basic care kit.

Geranium 

Geranium is one of my favourite oils because it works profoundly on the emotions and is useful in many medicinal conditions- and smells wonderful while it works so hard. The oil is extracted not from the familiar brightly coloured geranium but from the species Pelargonium - geranium Robert or 'lemon plant' which is very often displayed in abundance in Greek restaurants. Geranium will make chilblains disappear overnight and brings a radiant glow when used in skin care. More importantly, it is a vital component in the treatment of endometriosis, it is very effective for menstrual problems, diabetes, blood disorders, throat infections and as a nerve tonic, and works well as a sedative.

It is reputed to help in cases of uterine and breast cancer - and if nothing else, would certainly help the patient to relax and cope with the pain. Geranium has many applications, from frostbite to fertility, and its antiseptic and astringent properties conribute to its general usefulness. Its delightful floral fragrance makes it a pleasure to use, either on its own or as a contributory oil in blends.

Rosemary
Rosemary is both  a physical and mental stimulant, which makes it a good oil to have in the morning bath, while also being excellent in the treatment of all muscular conditions, making it the perfect oil for a bath after a long tiring day.

This antiseptic oil is used in the treatment of muscular sprains, arthritis,rheumatism, depression, fatigue memory loss, migrane, headaches, flu, diabetes , aamong other conditions. It is al;so very useful in beauty treatments being used in hair cate  and acne and cellulite remedies. For the sportsman, cook and gardner, rosemary is invaluable.

Thyme
There are many types of Thyme, some of which can be used safely in all situations and some which cannot. Thyme has notable anti-viral, antibiotic, antiseptic and diuretic properties and should be used with great care . Over-use of it can stimulate the thyroid gland and lympathic system. Like many good things, it must be used in moderation. It should never be applied to the skin undiluted and should not be used on children unless it is within the chemotype thyme linalol.

Thyme is a vital component of the Basic Care Kit because of its powerful anti-viral properties . When flu is around it is a wonderful oil to have on the room diffuser. It assists in the elimination of toxic wastes from the body. It is used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including whooping cough, warts rheumatism, neuralgia, fatigue and acne. It is also extremely useful in antiseptic powders, hair and skin care regimes and cooking. Just to make it a perfect all-rounder, thyme will discourage all manner of parasites and insects from invading your home.

Lemon
When our adventerous seafaring ancestors sailed the high seas, fresh lemons saved them from getting scurvy. For modern stay-at-home-homes, the essential oil of lemon is just as useful as a water purifier. This anti-septic and anti-bacterial oil will perform many tasks when used in blends, including treating verrucas, insect bites and tension and headaches. It has a tonic action on the lympathic system and a stimulatin action on the digestive system. It will assist you to slim, help disperse cellulite and keep wrinkles at bay. Its contribution to synergy makes it particularly useful in blends, while it is indispensable as a fragrance and flavouring agent.

Clove
Clove oil is an anti-bacterial, antiseptic and analgesic and is a good oil for the prevention of disease and infection. Being a spice it can easily be incorporated into your cooking. It is best known as a quick cure for toothache although it is equally useful in digestive problems and muscular disorders.

It can be used in the treatment of asthma, nausea and sinusitis, and as a sedative. Clove is a powerful oil that has been used for the sterilisation of surgical instruments. It should not be used undiluted on the skin.

The Fragrant Pharmacy : Valerie A Worwood

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