Essential oils

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. If you have ever enjoyed the gift of a rose, a walk by a field of lavender, or the smell of fresh cut mint, you have experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination.

Essential oils are non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile organic compounds. Although they are fat soluble, they do not include fatty lipids or acids found in vegetable and animal oils. Essential oils are very clean, almost crisp, to the touch and are immediately absorbed by the skin. Pure, unadulterated essential oils are translucent and range in color from crystal clear to deep blue.

Try this at home: Squeeze the peel of a ripe orange. The fragrant residue on your hand is full of essential oils.

In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and being beautifully fragrant to people, essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Modern scientific study and trends towards more holistic approaches to wellness are driving a revival and new discovery of essential oil health applications.

I have been using essential oils for a long time and I love them. Lavender is one of my favorites. I use it as a deodorant, just a couple of drops in the pits and I smell good all day, except for super sweaty days in summer, that would require some plain baking soda.

Three of the best oils to start your collection with are lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree. These oils are less expensive, so they are a great introduction to oils because your investment is not to intimidating.

Lavender is widely used and accepted for its calming and relaxing qualities.

Because of the many influential compounds found in eucalyptus, it is a key ingredient in cough and throat medicines and chest ointments. Eucalyptus is used widely both for its calming and clearing properties as well as to ease breathing* Just mix it with a little olive oil and rub it on the chest, throat and shoulders.

Recognized by its more common name "tea tree", melaleuca has been revered for its cleansing and regenerative properties, especially for the skin. Composed of more than ninety different compounds, melaleuca has limitless therapeutic applications. Tea tree is great for killing fungus, bacterias and viruses. Any time you get a cut, scrape, etc.. just drop tea tree on it.

If you are really interested in using essential oils then you should get yourself a book so you can learn how to use them.

There are a lot of companies that sell essential oils, I like several, however you should do your own research and find a company that you like.