Aromatheraphy - How It Works

Aromatherapy is an effective way of treating various conditions. If scented oil is used for massage or fragrant baths, we can renew and heal our skin, making it look and feel more youthful. It can heal dry skin, boils, acne; it can deodorize and refresh as well as restore and smooth wrinkles.

Distilled essential oils are highly concentrated and must be diluted before use in massage (by adding the essence to a base oil) or in the bath (by adding the essence to water).

Because of the concentration, they must be used with great care, as using some oils full strength can irritate the skin and can cause a rash.

It is recommended to ingest distilled essential oils with the supervision of the aromatherapist or homepath skilled in the area. It is a good idea to follow safety measures to avoid mishaps.

(several companies that specialize and manufacture such are listed).

Making essences:

• Where the scent is inhaled directly.

• Collect the flowers and scented leaves of your choice.

• Fresh flowers are best but you can use dried.

• Crush them into a concreted paste, adding a little spring water as needed. It is best to crush the plant material in a non-porous bowl made of glass or stainless steel, or in a mortar with pestle. The scent is inhaled directly from the bowl as it is released.

• Involves the use of a vodka base.

• Flowers and/or leaves (either fresh or dried) are soaked in vodka to create a vodka tincture.

• Any type of unflavored vodka will do- just make sure it is eighty to ninety proof.

• Pour the vodka into a jar with a close-fitting lid ( a mason jar works well), three-fourths full.

• Now add flowers and/or leaves to fill the jar, making sure that all plant material is covered.

• Place the jar in a sunny window, and shake daily for two weeks. At the end of that time, strain out the old plant material and add new, repeating the process, if the fragrance isn’t strong enough. This alcohol mixture keeps well because the alcohol acts as a preservative.

• Vodka has no odor to detract the scent.