For centuries, essential oils and/or using products containing them,
such as soaps, have been used as natural “medicines” to provide many
therapeutic and psychological benefits. Care is taken to avoid using the
oils directly on the skin—because they are very concentrated, they can
cause skin irritations. However, there are many ways to enjoy the
benefits of these wonderful oils.
Caution:
All essential oils are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin.
With few exceptions, never take internally and use extreme caution or
avoid using essential oils during pregnancy. Always dilute essential
oils in carrier oil such as olive oil if using on the skin.
Tea Tree Oil – a natural antibacterial -
tea tree oil
is very special in that it has antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic
properties. Tea tree oil soap combines shea butter, olive oil and
coconut oil to not only gently cleanse away the dirt and germs, but to
renew the softness of your skin and add to its suppleness. Among its
many benefits, tea tree oil works as an acne treatment, a cleanser for
cuts and scrapes, and a treatment or prevention for athlete's foot.
Several drops on a cotton ball placed in the home, office or hotel room
helps purify the air. This oil has a medicinal scent, but it is not
overwhelming. It can be used in little dabs on cold sores and acne as
well as athlete’s foot.
Suggested Australian Tea Tree Soaps
Australian Tea Tree - Leaves
Tea Tree - Cocoa Butter
Patchouli Oil -
unforgettable - even if you don't remember the day the Beatles landed in
the U.S., flower power or Laugh-In, you'll love (or hate) the warm,
musky, heady aroma of
patchouli.
Earthy, woody and aromatic, this oil is used in soap and lotions to
treat everything from dry, cracked skin to acne, stress and frigidity
(really, I am not making this up—think of Haight Ashbury and Free Love)!
Patchouli is used often in aromatherapy. The dried leaves and stems are
used in traditional Chinese medicine to normalize the flow and balance
of the life force known as qi (or chi). This oil is said to bring
emotions into harmony and create energy. Deeply relaxing, patchouli oil
can be blended with jasmine, rose or ylang ylang to create intoxicating
massage oil. Be sure to use with carrier oil, such as olive oil (one cup
or more to a few drops total of essential oils).
Lemongrass - aka citronella -
Lemongrass
is a great, natural way to deter mosquitoes and lemongrass soap is a
way to treat your skin to its many other benefits. Vermont Botanical
Soaps (on eBay) sells a big, chunky, handcrafted bar infused with the
finest lemongrass essential oil, olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter and
organically-grown fresh lemongrass leaves. This soap imparts
antiseptic, anti fungal, and antimicrobial benefits and is beneficial in
treating insect bites, athlete’s foot, acne, and skin rashes. Place a
few drops on a cotton ball and place in the home, office or hotel room
to protect against pathogens in recycled air. Lemongrass is a must for
campers, and a drop or two will also work wonders in smelly sneakers and
sports bags!
Rose Oil –
the romantic - there are few aromas as evocative as the rose. Its
intoxicating floral essence is used to brighten a mood or to cool and
tone the skin. Rose can increase feelings of energy and enhance
well-being (a dozen roses never fail to increase my well-being!) Rose
oil relieves dryness, inflammation and itching. Rose is also an
effective antiseptic, antibacterial and astringent. A very small amount
can often be useful in treating headaches—think a drop or two on a cold
forehead compress. Used in soaps, candles, sachets and lotions, its
fragrance has universal appeal. This oil should not be used in
pregnancy.
Lemongrass
Lavender Oil – the universal - fresh and sweet,
lavender
has been used throughout history to relieve anxiety, headaches, stress,
and allergies. This heavenly oil can also help heal cuts and soothe bug
bites. Used in vaporizers, lavender can help ease colds, coughs and
congestion. Lavender is relatively easy to grow in growing Zones 5 and
up (I’ve tried growing it in Zone 4 without much luck), and it makes a
wonderful addition to baked goods. Just dry, crush and sprinkle into
cookie or cake batter. Be sure to use pesticide-free lavender when using
in food. Add a few drops to a cotton ball and place in closets and
drawers to repel insects and moths. For a nice, natural fragrance in the
home, use an eyedropper to apply lavender oil to hot light bulbs—the
heat will help the oil to infuse a room with it’s magical aroma. As an
alternative to dryer sheets, a few drops on a damp washcloth thrown into
the dryer will leave clothes nicely scented. I’ve also used a little
under car seats—a nice alternative to traditional car deodorizers.
Lavender Scent Soaps Lavender Rose Petals
Lavender - Geranium
Palm Wild Lavender Soap
Lavender - Jasmine Soap
More Essential oils
Anoint Chakratherapy - Pure oils specially blended to raise
vibrations and heal chakras.
AquarianEssence - Essential oils, synergistic blends, accessories,
and lotions.
Aroma Thyme Aromatherapy - Pure essential oils, Scent of the Month
Club, aromatherapy bath and body treatments, and candles.
Aroma-Pure - Offers a wide selection of 100% pure essential oils,
pure carrier oils, and other aromatherapy accessories.
Aroma1 - Support specific health and emotional issues with essential
oil remedies created to bring balance and harmony into your life.
Formulated by a qualified holistic aromatherapist.
AromaSense - Essential, massage and bath, carrier, and fragrance
oils. Also offers diffusers.
Aromaceuticals - Therapeutic essentials, hydrolats, carriers, herbs,
and diffusers. Also offers aromatherapy classes and tutoring in Dallas.
Aromaland Aromatherapy - A collection of all natural aromatherapy
products, including over 100 pure essential oils and a wide range of
educational material on aromatherapy
Aromanet - Offer aromatherapy services and pure grade a essential
oils in Canada.
Aromatherapy Alive - British online retailer of essential oils,
floral waters, carrier oils, candles and pot pourri.
Aromatherapy Online - Australian, Sydney based aromatherapy offers
pure essential oils and massage oils, specializing in Romance blends.
Ashbury's Aromatherapy - Essential and carrier oils, bath and body
care products, spa supplies, dead sea bath salts, lotions and massage
oils, and misters. Also offers wholesale products for therapists and
retailers.
Aspen Earth - Pure oils and absolutes, and diffusers and bottles.
Aura Cacia's Home Page - Aura Cacia is a leading manufacturer of
aromatherapy products.
Auroma - A Jouney in Aromatherapy - Offers aromatherapy products
including essential oils, massage oils, aromatherapy recipes, bath
therapeutic body products.
Birch Hill Happenings Aromatherapy, LLC - Offers pure essential
oils, synergy blends and massage oils. Includes a beginner's kit and
tips on product use.
Camden-Grey Essential Oils - Essential oils, vegetable and nut oils
and many other products related to soapmaking or aromatherapy.
Clematis Limited - New Zealand supplier of essential/aromatherapy
oils and other products,including massage and body oils, carrier and
infused oils, therapeutic blends, emu oil, hair lice remedy.
DGN Aromatics - Purveyors of 100% pure essential oils and
complementary therapy products. Products listed by emotional effect.
Daphne's Natural Oils and Essences - Pure aromatherapy and
therapeutic grade essential oils, carrier oils, massage oils, and
handmade soaps, with custom blending available.
Denise Brown Aromatherapy and Essential Oils - Denise Brown
Essential Oils - aromatherapy. Trade prices, Free UK mainland delivery.
Every item has 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Direct Oils - Aromatherapy and home fragrance products including
essential and carrier oils, incense sticks, mist sprays and oil burners.
Dreaming Earth - Aromatherapy grade essential oils, massage and
carrier oils, blends and aphrodisiacs, aromatherapy diffusers and vials
plus information, questions and answers, recipes, and workshops. Retail,
wholesale and bulk.
E2o - The science of natural products. British based supplier of
essential oils, blends and herbal products.
Eden Botanicals - Crystallized essences, oils, and incense from
amber.
Effleurage Pure Essential Oils - 100% Pure Essential Oils and all
natural, cold pressed Massage and Body Oils. Professional products for
promoting soft, smooth and healthy skin.
Elixirs of Life - Handmade essential oils and natural skin care
products.
Elizabeth Van Buren - Offers therapeutic grade blends, massage oils,
and body care products.
Enchanted Essences - Custom blends created specifically for each
customer.
Esencial Fragancias - Aromatherapy and Aromacology products made in
Spain.
Essential Aura - Organic essential oils, hydrosols and carrier oils
direct from eco agricultural distiller producing in Costa Rica and
Canada.
Eureka Oils - Natural plant oils and massage blends.
Fragrant Essence - Alberta site offers therapeutic grade essential
oils, aromatherapy soaps, and information, including recipes and usage
suggestions. Free gift with first purchase.
God's Country Botanicals - Offering ready-to-use aromatherapy
products made from the essential oils.
Green Valley Aromath - Exporter of therapeutic grade essential oils,
natural cosmetics, and aromatherapy products.
Gritman Pure Essential Oils - Essential oils, absolutes, carrier
oils, bottles, perfume bottles, and crystals
Hall & James - Essential oils and fragrance oils supplied direct
from the manufacturer. Also gifts, kits, carrier oils, books, tea
lights.
Hunter's Natural & Pure Aromatherapy - British aromatherapist
Ian Hunter offers essential oils and blends for various purposes, as
well as some notes on blending. US price list requires Microsoft Word to
read.
Into the Scented Garden - Aromatic salt and nasal wash. Includes
usage instructions.
Katybugs Healingsense - Naturally prepared products which offer
health giving, body nourishing, and spirit enhancing elements.
Laboratories Hytech - Pure and natural