My comprehensive guide to getting started! (Essential Oils in general)

Member Name: KathrynMackinnon

Product:	Essential Oils in general
Date:	24/03/01 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Mmmmmm

Disadvantages: Fairly expensive

'Aromatherapy saved my life!' - well, not really. But I love it.

I've been pretty obsessed since I completed a three month starter course last month, my friends would call me more of a nerd really!
Every time any of them complains of feeling down, tired, ill, hyper, confused, sniffly or itchy(!) - I fire an aromatherapy solution at them within a second, and they don't really seem to believe me. It is hard to believe that a little bottle of oil could have so much power, but they really are very potent. I'm sure we would have given up using them now if they didn't have any effect. After all, it was the Ancient Egyptians who were first recorded as using essential oils.

I would consider a small selection of aromatherapy oils to be a very useful addition to your first-aid kit and for use around the home.
You can use them anywhere, in the car, at home, in the bath, at work, in massage, in log fires and spritzed (in water) on linen and into the air as a freshener.

Not only can aromatherapy lift or balance your mood, but it can ease a variety of common aliments including asthma, colds, bruising, acne, yeast infections - eugh!, head lice and greenfly - in plants only I'm afraid!

THE BEST BASIC OILS

The most useful oils I would advise you to start off with would be :-

*Lavender*
Fresh, sweet and floral. The best all-rounder and can be used neat on the skin. Eases labour pains and general anxiety. Can be used to treat shock, burns, bruises and other wounds. Good insect repellant.

*Tea Tree*
Spicy, fresh and medicinal. Has antiseptic properties and can be used undiluted on the skin. Anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial. Can help coldsores, cystitis, skin infections colds and flu.

*Rosemary*
Herbaceous. Must be avoided when pregnant or if suffering from high blood-pressure/epilepsy. Increases circulation of blood to the brain and so can help with poor memo
ry and concentration. Antiseptic and anti-spazmodic. Detoxifying - helps with lymphatic drainage - goodbye cellulite!
Good for sports injuries, sprains + strains and headaches.

*Mandarin*
Sweet and fruity. Can be used safely on children, treating hyperactivity. Detoxifies and iradicates cellulite.

*Eucalyptus*
Medicinal and woody. Great for treating colds and chest infections, helps tiredness and lack of concentration (I've got some burning right now!), cystitis, rheumatism and is another great insect repellent.Anti-fungal.

*Ylang Ylang/ Jasmine/ Rose*
Exotic, sweet and floral. Good for treating anxiety, depression and all have aphrodesiac properties.Jasmine can be used to ease labour. Rose is good for PMT, it anti-inflammatory, increases fertility and is great for facial use. It also relieves nausea. Ylang Ylang relieves high blood pressure and palpitations.

A good carrier oil such as jojoba or almond is very important when using essential oils as it helps with the absorption into the skin and most imporatantly, dilutes the oils to a safe level for use.

CAUTIONARY INFO
Some oils cannot be used by asthmatics, pregnant women, children or epileptics. Make sure you read the warnings before using any oils, including carrier oils as some are derived from nuts, which could prove fatal if use on somebody with an allergy to these products. Oils must be kept well away from pets and children as some can be very toxic.

It is not recommended that oils be used internally. Even if you read in a book or magazine that you can add it to a sauce or gargle with it, don't. There has not been full research into the full effects of essential oils on the body when ingested. In France, you must be a fully qualified doctor in order to prescribe them for this use, let alone give an aromatherapy massage.

Correct dilution is important, as too strong an oil or blend can result in burning, irritation or he
adaches. If you have very sensitive skin, it might be a good idea to perform a patch test prior to usage. All you do is smudge a little of the oil into the crook of your elbow and leave it alone for 24hrs, if any irritation occurs -don't use
it.
Don't let me scare you too much!
When used correctly, essential oils can be very beneficial and a lot of fun - especially the aphrodisiac ones!

BUYING OILS
I bought my first basic set of oils from several outlets around my city and it ended up being pretty expensive. Now I tent to buy them over the net, where the oils tend to be stored in the correct refrigerated conditions, prior to dispatch, prolonging the length of time they can be used.
Your fridge is the best place to keep your oils, or in a little, light-free cool box.

Cariad offer a good range of essential oils and accessories at http://www.changeslive.com where you will recieve £5 off your first purchase and free delivery on orders over £10.
You could create your own set of starter oils for just £10.40, rather than the RRP £17 sets in the shops.

Lavender - £3.50 10mls
Tea Tree - £4.25 10mls
Mandarin - £3.75 10mls
and Almond carrier oil - £4.00 100mls
with your £5 discount!

Or, you could have a full set with all that you really need, by adding:-

Rosemary - £4.50 10mls
Ylang Ylang - £5.50 10mls
Eucalyptus - £3.25 10mls
for £26.25 including your £5 discount.

See!, I've done all of your shopping and your sums, now all you have to do is get started. It is imperative that you buy a good aromatherapy guide (around £3.99 in the shops) which will include any warnings, blends, techniques and tips which will get you started on your aromatherapeutic journey!

Make sure you take good care of them and treat them with lots of love and respect as they are a powerful; resource of relaxation and healing. Making blends for friends and family is also a very
personal and touching gift to give.

Have fun, follow the guidelines and use your creativity!

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