Healthy Parenting

Essential Oils

Essential Oils are the substances extracted from the flowers, leaves, stems, and roots of plants. They offer us a wide variety of beneficial therapeutic properties. We've used them in our home for many years in many capacities with wonderful results. We replaced over the counter anti bacterials, anti fungals, antiseptics, burn remedy and much much more.

Each plant's oil has it's own chemical constituents, differing from the many other essential oils available. The ways in which these remarkable oils can assist in our daily lives are countless. We use essential oils in our home in the following ways;

• To make our own cleaning solutions with antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. More on making your own natural cleaners on the Cleaning page.



• To diffuse to kill germs, clean and freshen the air. Best thing in the world when you have a sick household!



• As a topical antiseptic for cuts and scrapes. Lavender EO is known as "boo boo oil" by my kids.



• To soothe burns, bruises, rashes, etc.



• In our homemade natural deodorant sprays (one for me and one for my husband - each have different oils as my husband was opposed to smelling flowery). For my recipe, check out the Personal Care page.



• As an environmental allergy soother (for slight allergies). When I visit friends with cats, I rub a drop of lavender EO under my nose and it helps keep allergy attacks at bay. I have only a slight allergy but it helps!



• For headache relief. Lavender and peppermint mixed does wonders when headaches hit in our house. Of course, the relaxing on the couch with a cloth over your eyes doesn't hurt either.



• To relieve little (and big) stuffy noses and congestion with bathroom EO steams. Especially helpful before bedtime. It's simple. Shut the bathroom door (fan off), turn your shower on HOT. Place a washcloth in the shower and add a few drops of EO (a few of our favorites for colds are eucalyptus radiata, melaleuca, lemon) and enjoy the EO steam by inhaling deeply and blowing your nose as much as you can. It really helps to loosen phegm and clear the passages to help with a good night's sleep. BE SURE to open windows and turn the exhaust fan on afterwards or you could have a potential mold problem.

It is important that one take the time to learn the very basics of using essential oils. There are safety precautions that should be followed so as not to cause any undue harm. See below for our book recommendations. The first two are great for beginners. Also, check out my ancient and abandoned EO site for some Safety and Basics.

Some properties that one can expect to see in oils are;

Antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestent, expectorant, insecticide, sedative, stimulant, anti-infectious, deodorant, analgesic,immune stimulant, antidepressant, bactericidal.

Some basic oils to look at when you are just starting are;

• Lavender
• Lemon
• Peppermint
• Melaleuca

Some of my favorite oils;

• Lavender
• Geranium
• Sandalwood
• Frankincense

I hope you experiment, learn, read and enjoy EOs as much as I have come to!

Articles

Antiviral and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils
http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Aromatherapy/baud55.htm

The Function of Essential Oils in Plants
http://www.jeannerose.net/articles/essential_oil_function.html

Aromatherapy and your Cat
http://www.holisticat.com/aromatherapy.html

Chronic Fatique/Fibromyalgia and EOs
http://www.jeannerose.net/articles/chronic_fatigue_fibromyalgia.html

Catnip as Mosquito Repellant
http://www.cherylsherbs.com/Catnip_and_Mosquitoes.htm

Recommended Reading

• Books to come very soon!

Resources

Essential Oils Now! My abandoned oil site.
http://www.essentialoilsnow.com

Jeanne Rose's site - Amazing articles!
http://www.jeannerose.net/articles.html

AromaWeb - An EO and Aromatherapy resource
http://www.aromaweb.com/

Mountain Rose Herbs - A WONDERFUL company!
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com

Nature's Gift: Purchase oils, great information on them too!
http://www.naturesgift.com/

Shopping

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