Lynn Smythe
Magical Essential Oils
January 10th 2008 18:53
Herb Magic
Rosetta E. Clarkson, Magic Gardens
Aromatherapists use a variety of aromatic substances to facilitate healing, reduce stress, and promote a sense of well-being in their clients. Aromatherapists may employ essential oils along with aromatic fresh or dried plant material into their healing practices.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are the volatile aromatic oils of plants, leaves, and flowers. Essential oils are very potent and usually need to be diluted before being used. Never use an essential oil in its undiluted state unless otherwise noted as they may cause skin irritation if used directly on the skin.
Do not confuse essential oils with fragrance oils. Essential oils are 100% pure plant oils with no added ingredients. Fragrance oils are blends of synthetic compounds to be used for aromatic purposes only. Essential oils can be used both for medicinal and aromatic purposes. The fragrance oils are only used to scent items such as potpourris, candles and soaps.
It is beyond the scope of most herbalists and gardeners to make their own essential oils as large quantities of raw plant material are required to produce even a tiny amount of oil. High quality essential oils can be purchased at health food stores and select grocery stores. Most grocery stores and health food stores sell the oils in ¼ ounce or ½ ounce size bottles.
One of my herbal supply catalogs lists over 50 essential oils in their current catalog. Most of them are available in ¼ ounce, ½ ounce, 1 ounce, 4 ounce, 8 ounce and 16 ounce bottles. Essential oils are very concentrated, a little goes a long way. Unless you are contemplating opening your own store I would not recommend buying anything larger than a ¼ ounce or ½ ounce bottle of essential oil at a time.
Methods for using essential oils:
Here are some methods you may utilize in order to enjoy the healing and aromatic properties of essential oils:
Place two to four drops of essential oil into a large bowl full of hot, steaming water. Place a towel over your head and lower your face to within a few inches of the water. Let the aromatic steam waft over your skin until the water has cooled down and is no longer steaming. Lemon is a balancing essential oil that can used for both dry and oily skin types. After you have completed your aromatic facial treatment splash your face with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.
Mix one cup of Epsom salts with six to eight drops of essential oil and blend together. Place this mixture into an airtight glass jar until ready to use. For a soothing and aromatic bath add ¼ cup of the scented Epsom salts to a bathtub full of warm water and enjoy a nice relaxing herb infused bath.
Place a few drops of the essential oil onto a diffuser ring that is meant to be placed over a light bulb. An alternative is to use a diffuser that is placed in a container over a tea light (small candle). The heat from the light bulb or candle will cause the essential oil to slowly vaporize while releasing the scent of the oil throughout the room.
Place a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto a cotton ball and put it in your vacuum cleaner bag or canister. The scent of the oil will be released throughout your home as you vacuum your carpets.
Place a drop or two of essential oil onto a candle before lighting it. Make sure not to get any of the oil onto the wick as this will prevent the candle from lighting properly. As the candle burns the scent of the essential oil will be released into the surrounding air.
You may combine essential oils to make your own unique blend of scented oils. A few of my favorite combinations include lemon blended with clove, rosemary blended with patchouli, and sweet basil blended with rose geranium. Experiment with different combinations of essential oils to come up with your own unique combinations.
Magical associations of essential oils:
Essential oils can be used in your magical spells and rituals. Here are a few of my favorite essential oils.
Sweet basil - Ocimum basilicum - sweet basil is an energizing and uplifting oil with a very refreshing, clean scent. Basil essential oil can be used to help relieve mild depression and fatigue. This oil blends well with lavender, rose geranium, and thyme. I like to use this oil in my essential oil diffuser to scent my home office.
Planet=sun, element=fire, magical uses=mood elevator, leadership, prosperity, protection.
Bay - Laurus nobilis - this oil is calming and grounding and blends well with all citrus based oils, lavender and rosemary
Planet=sun, element=fire, magical uses=divination, meditation, purification.
German chamomile - Matricaria recutita - this is a calming and relaxing oil. Be careful when using this dark blue colored oil it as it can stain any object it comes into contact with. This essential oil is a terrific one to use as a facial steam treatment for your skin. German chamomile can also be used to help relieve mild depression, insomnia and a variety of digestive complaints. This oil blends well with lavender, marjoram and ylang ylang
Planet=Venus, element=water, magical uses=dream work, meditation.
Clove bud - Eugenia caryophyllata - this oil is energizing and stimulating. It also smells wonderful when mixed with a bit of lavender, lemon or ylang ylang essential oil. Clove bud oil can also be used to help treat acne, athlete's foot, and the pain associated with a toothache
Planet.=Jupiter, element=fire, magical uses=courage, healing, memory enhancement, protection.
Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia - this is a harmonizing, soothing, and rejuvenating oil. It can be used to help relieve mild depression and insomnia. Lavender blends well with most citrus and floral scents in addition to clover, patchouli, and rosemary. This is a great oil to use to help relieve a tension headache. I like to rub a few drops of the oil into my temples before lying down in a quiet, dark room to recuperate.
Planet=Mercury, element=air, magical uses=dream work, healing, love.
My complete article, Magical Essential Oils, can be found on the Associated Content website.
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