Essential Oils

Essential oils are exactly what they sound like. The `essence' of a plant or flower extracted in the form of a highly concentrated and fragrant oil. Almost any aroma can be captured in this way and the oils are used in perfume manufacture the world over. You will find, no matter how expensive the perfume, that it becomes a pale imitation when you encounter the oil on which it is based.

Commercial perfumers use only a tiny amount of the fragrance and they dilute it with everything from alcohol to animal fat. It's particularly sad, because the oils themselves are not even that expensive in their pure state, check our Latest Prices In fact, you could well afford to experiment with some creative blending of different oils to make your own, exclusive perfume or cologne.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is simply the science of applying particular essential oils to particular illnesses. The patient is encouraged to inhale the oil by heating it on an evaporator, adding a few drops to a bath, or (best of all) having it massaged into the body. It's a modern branch of complementary medicine, based on ancient principles, and there are special schools for those who wish to learn it. If you've got a serious complaint and you'd like to try aromatherapy for a cure you should see a qualified aroma therapist but if you've got a headache, or cold or are suffering from various other minor symptoms you could safely treat yourself.

Oils can be particularly effective if you need an instant pick-me-up or calm-me-down and you don't want to fill your body with spurious chemical preparations. A few lungfuls of pure peppermint oil, for example, will swiftly dispel lethargy, tiredness and even exhaustion. On the other hand a gentle breath or two of lavender will rapidly soothe away aches and pains and help you relax or sleep.
Remember, though, that the oils are not to be taken internally. Remember also, that if you're not used to aromatherapy there is a tendency to misjudge the tiny quantities needed and overdose yourself. You won't do any real harm if this happens - but you may end up getting too perked up by a stimulating oil or too wound down by a relaxing oil.