BY SARAH J. BLAKE
If you need oils, herbs, books about them, or other supplies, please visit my supplies page, where many of your purchases help to fund my work on this informational site.
I've thought of experimenting with herbs and essential oils for a long time but have never had the money to do it until 2002. As a Christmas present to myself, I bought a nebulizer, some oils, and some supplies to experiment with making my own lotions, gels, etc. I'll never buy from Bath and Body Works again! Making my own blends is very relaxing and therapeutic all by itself. Any benefit I get from the blends is icing on the cake--and I do seem to be benefitting from them.
In January, 2003, I bought some dried herbs in bulk. I never realized how many uses herbs have. I've used them in teas, infused them in vegetable oils, and used the oils in lotions and foods. I suspect that in addition to aromatherapy, my use of herbs in cooking has helped me to maintain better health than I have had in many years.
On this site, I summarize what I've learned, share some of my recipes, and provide links to the vendors I buy from. Try what you like, and most of all have fun!
Many people, particularly conservative Christians, become visibly uncomfortable when the term is mentioned--it often conjures up images of strange people who believe things that are rather ridiculous. I used to fidget at the mention of the word aromatherapy. Properly used, the term aromatherapy refers to a branch of alternative medicine that uses the sense of smell to promote healing or achieve certain physical or psychological effects. For a more in-depth explanation, see the article, "What Is Aromatherapy" from Holistic Online.
Aromatherapy makes use of oils that come from plants and are obtained using a variety of methods. Plants have been used as medicines for many years and are still used in many cultures. In fact, herbs and oils are often used as ingredients in modern medications. Holistic Online has a good article about the history of aromatherapy. Many books also provide a wealth of information about the use of herbs and essential oils in medical remedies.
While "hype" and inaccurate information abound, the fact remains that aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine are effective. Does the smell of coffee make you feel energized? Have you ever sniffed pepper and sneezed? These are the things that make aromatherapy effective. The same is true of color therapy and sound therapy.
The body is not a set of independent organs. It is a set of organs and systems that act in response to one another and cause each other to react. When a substance enters the nose, signals are sent to the brain, where they are interpreted as a scent. The brain, in turn responds to the signals in various ways. It may release chemicals and electrical signals that induce sleep--this is how "the gas mask" works when you have surgery. It may release chemicals and signals that you recognize as an emotion (pleasure, disgust, or fear). It may retrieve memories associated with the scent or the reaction to the scent. This is how and why aromatherapy works.
The oils used for aromatherapy are often used in commercial products, including medications. They can be harmful if used incorrectly; but they can also be very beneficial when used correctly. The Guide to Aromatherapy provides useful information on how to use essential oils and safety precautions. If you want to try aromatherapy but feel uncomfortable educating yourself or just want some guidance, consult a practitioner.
Many people who take an interest in aromatherapy and the use of essential oils do so because they dislike or have concerns about synthetic ingredients used in commercial products. Others simply enjoy creating their own scents or products.
I became interested in aromatherapy when I learned that it might offer relief for my respiratory problems. I was also curious about whether I might be able to make my own lotions. Soap and lotion-making is not aromatherapy, but often the two go hand in hand. Essential oils are often used in making cosmetics, particularly when the maker wants to avoid synthetic chemicals.
Because my interest in aromatherapy and soap and lotion-making have blended, I have allowed that blend to express itself on this site. I'll discuss tools I use and provide links to suppliers. Finally, I will share some of the recipes I've created. Many sites offer much more complicated procedures and recipes than I have been able to master. Often these recipes are longer lasting and more fit for things like craft sales, etc. If you want to delve into soap and lotion-making seriously, I would encourage you to do a fair amount of research as sites and using books and learn more than what you will find here. I have some disability-related limitations which prevent me from taking my interest as far as I would like to.
See the following pages for recipes using herbs and essential oils:
BY SARAH J. BLAKE