Can You Use All Essential Oils Produced by Fragrant Plants in Aromatherapy?

Many plants produce essential oils.  However, some plants produce a limited amount of essential oil, or it takes a large amount of plant matter to produce just one drop of essential oil; rose is a good example of this scenario. According to Shirley Price, in Aromatherapy Workbook, there are over 200 plants that produce an essential oil.  However, there are actually only 21 plant families which produce enough essential oil, free from toxicity, that are safe to use for pure aromatherapy work.

If you have access to The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, by Julia Lawless, you will see that Lawless profiles over 160 essential oils.  However, if you read the descriptions of each essential oil carefully you will further see that some essential oils do not have a use in aromatherapy.  Many are used in the fragrance and perfumery industry, where the purity and healing powers are not as vital to use - and many more still can be extremely toxic in any situation.

So, the answer to the question, "Can you use all essential oils produced by fragrant plants in aromatherapy?" is no.  Although many essential oils have many therapeutic properties that can be used in aromatherapy, there are those that are best avoided too - for several reasons :)

For further information read my article:

Essential Oils Not Suitable for Aromatherapy Use

A Lifetime of Aromatherapy Learning

In case you haven't read my previous posts, I recently created a new web site called Aromatherapy Library.  My idea for Aromatherapy Library is to provide a "hub" of all my aromatherapy articles that I have written for various other web sites and magazines, as people frequently ask me if I have written anything on a particular subject.  This way, I can direct them to the one web site, instead of trying to reach into the far depths of my brain and remember when/where/if I wrote a particular aromatherapy article!  Although I have a relatively good memory, in my opinion :) , I must have written in excess of 700 articles, blog posts and web site pages (not all on aromatherapy but a wide range of subjects) in the past couple of years, a number which is forever increasing, so even my memory isn't that good!

However, in the process of building my new Aromatherapy Library web site, I decided to amend and re-write my original aromatherapy articles, with a link back to the original place it was published.  Therefore, I find that I am "re-learning" or "re-discovering" some facts about aromatherapy once again!

In addition, I plan to start some advanced aromatherapy studies at the end of the year, if all falls into place (fingers crossed), so I will be learning some new aromatherapy information too!  It just made me realize that you can never have enough facts and information about aromatherapy, however much you think you know!  Its a bit like life I suppose - a continuous learning curve....  :) :)

So, although I hope to provide a wide array of aromatherapy information through my blog, articles and web sites, I still challenge you to go out there and read as many aromatherapy books, articles and other information as you can!  And if you come across something that's simply too good not to share, please let me know.... :)

Essential Oils in Aromatherapy for Women

Some esential oils are specifically useful for the many problems women are plagued with.  From teenage skin problems, to PMS, to pregnancy and the menopause, women endure a number of problems in life that are accompanied by several unwanted symptoms.  So, its nice to know that certain essential oils will help with some of those problems!  Although many essential oils can be used in aromatherapy to help women's problems, these are some of the most popular oils in my experience....

To find out read:

Five Popular Essential Oils in Aromatherapy for Women

Insects, Bugs and Ant Bite Treatment With Aromatherapy

A month or so ago, I posted about my deck problem with ants and the use of peppermint oil to deter them.  As "bug season" seems to be in full swing here in Arizona, I had another experience yesterday with the insect variety, this time with fire ants.  Fire ants, although small, bite big.  I couldn't believe the size of the bite that came up from such a small insect!  However, as soon as it happened, even before the bite began to show, I slapped on some tea tree and geranium essential oil, in a white lotion base, and the swelling/bite was reduced and relieved in a matter of minutes.  I continued to apply the lotion throughout the day and although the bites are still there (yes, they got me more than once before I realized what was happening!), the use of aromatherapy in this instance certainly helped!

I have used a combination of tea tree and geranium essential oil in a white lotion base previously, specifically to treat:

•  mosquito bites/repellant
• other bug bites
• heat rash.

I've also used it on my niece (who was about three years old at the time) with success - unfortunately, she is also prone to being a prime attraction where insects and bugs are concerned!  Just remember to reduce the quantity of essential oils used for a young child and do a patch test first, if possible.

And good luck with the insects this summer! :)

Fragrant Trees of Australia

Australia is home to a number of fragrant trees that have been used medicinally both by Aboriginal people and, more recently, as essential oils in aromatherapy.  Scented trees of Australia, such as tea tree, eucalyptus and niaouli, are well known for their antiseptic and anti-viral properties.  Like many other essential oils which possess similar properties, these particular essential oils all belong to the same botanical family too - the Myrataceae plant family.

To learn more about the fragrant trees of Australia and some of the essential oils which they produce read:

Medicinal Use of Scented Trees Native to Australia

Growing Lavender in Arizona

I posted on June 1, 2010 about Lavender in the Arizona Mountains and Red Rock Farms.  Unfortunately, as seems to have been the way for me this year, my plans to visit Red Rock Farms during the lavender festival did not happen as planned.  Although frustrating, all is not lost.  It is possible to visit throughout the rest of the year and I already have some thoughts on how to utilize lavender in my own back yard.

Our property consists of just over an acre of land here in Sedona.  Most of that, is "au naturelle" landscaping - you get the picture :)  However, landscaping with lavender, even here in Arizona, is possible.  Imagine awakening to the fragrance of lavender each day (when in bloom) - and as a base for an aromatherapy business, what could be more fitting?

Several years ago, a few vineyards started to spring up around Sedona.  California is probably more noted for its wine than Arizona but now the vineyard business in Sedona seems to be taking off.  So, perhaps lavender in Sedona, as oppose to lavender in Provence, is also a contender!  At the moment, I'm just thinking of landscaping but who know where that may lead to? :)

Watch this space over the coming year for an update on my lavender landscaping!