Some oils I recommend to start with are Lavender, Rosemary, Tea Tree (Australian), Ylang Ylang, Peppermint, and Lemon. You can put 3-4 drops in the bath and enjoy. Peppermint has a powerful aroma, so just use 1, maybe 2, drops. Remember to mix these with a base oil, such as: jojoba, sweet almond, or any other base or carrier oil, if they are to used for massage. Essential oils by themselves can be a skin-irritant.

About those 6 oils:

Lavender-- Lavandula officinalis --is used for a wide variety of things. One of the most helpful is in the treatment of scalds and burns. This should be your FIRST oil! No household should be without this one.

How to use: in a warm bath 3-5 drops and soak for 20 minutes; diffusers, 3-5 drops; inhalation, from the bottle or 2-3 drops on a tissue and carry with you, 2-3 drops on your pillow for a good nights sleep; Laundry-put 3-4 drops on a damp washcloth and throw it in the dryer. Lavender blends well with most other oils.

Eucalyptus--Eucalyptus globulus -- is used to treat colds, flu, acne, viral infections, cuts, burns, stress, depression, and mental exhaustion.

How to use: for sinusitis or bronchitis, inhale a drop or two on a cottonball; for a stuffy nose put 3-4 drops in a diffuser for the room or 3-4 drops on a hot washcloth and hold to you face, (with your eyes closed). Blends well with lemon, lavender, pine, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, bergamot, and cedarwood.

Cautions: Do not take with homeopathic medicines or use in strong dilutions on the skin. Avoid, if history of epilepsy or hypertension (high blood pressure).

Lemon--Citrus limonum -is used as an astringent and antiseptic that is good for itchy skin conditions; such as eczema; or also on oily skin. It is also used for stress management, anxiety, tension and mental fatigue.

How to use: 5-6 drops in dishwater, helps cut grease, smells great and leaves skin feeling soft. As an Air freshener, 6-7 drops in a spray bottle; Add to your bath, 2-3 drops. Lemon blends well with other citrus oils and fresh scents, such as; ylang ylang, pine, juniper, lavendar.

Cautions: Do not use lemon oils on the skin when in direct sunlight.

Peppermint--Mentha piperita --Peppermint is really good for upset stomachs, stress, depression, tension, it's a stimulant, and will help clear the sinuses.

How to use: Inhalation, from the bottle, or put a couple of drops on a cottonball in the car to keep you alert; in the bath, 2-3 drops (no more due to skin irritation). Peppermint blends well with lavender and eucalyptus.

Cautions: Avoid during pregnancy, especially the first 3 months. Do not use with other homeopathic medicines.

Rosemary--Rosmarinus officinalis --is used to treat stress, has an uplifting affect for concentration and memory, releives muscle aches and pains, migraines, arthritis, colds, skin problems (acne, cellulite) and hair care.

How to use: As a Memory enhancer, place 1-2 drops on a cottonball and inhale; in a diffuser, mix with orange to clean and refresh the air.

Cautions: Avoid during pregnancy, especially the first 3 months. Can cause a skin irritation. Do not use if you have epilepsy or high blood pressure.

Tea Tree (Australian)--Melaleuca alternifolia --is an antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial oil. It is used to treat boils, burns, warts, genital herpes, ringworm, acne, sunburn, and much much more.

How to use: After showering use on boils, warts, and fungus put a drop on area after drying yourself. In the diffuser, use 2-3 drops for clean air. Blends well with lavendar, pine, marjoram, rosemary, clove, and other spic oils.

Cautions:Some say it irritates the skin. Consult with a trained aromatherapist, if in doubt.

Ylang ylang--Cananga odorata --is known as the flower of flowers. It has a sweet, exotic floral aroma. It has many healing properties, such as: antidepressant, aphrodisiac, sedative, and an antiseptic. It is useful for treating acne, irritated or oily skin, and as a hair rinse or tonic for hair growth. Also good on insect bites.

How to use: Massage, mix with the right base oil for your skin; In a diffuser, depending on the diffuser, 3-4 drops to calm nerves and to create romantic atmosphere; In the bath, try 2 drops of ylang-ylang, 2 drops of rose, and 3-4 drops of lavender. Blends well with lavender, sandalwood, lemon, bergamot, jasmine, neroli, rose.

Cautions: It may cause skin irritation in some people.

• +Do Consult a trained Aromatherapist before using essential oils, especially if you are uncertain about their properties or use.
• +Do Read about Aromatherapy, ask questions!
• +Do store your oils out of the light.
• +Do keep away from heat sources.
• +Do KEEP AWAY from CHILDREN. Some essential oils can be very toxic in small quantities. Keep away from your pets! Use sparingly in the elderly too.
• +Do keep away from heat sources when being stored.
• +Do a skin-patch test if you're not sure about allergic reactions to an oil. (Most people are NOT allergic to 100% PURE essential oils but can be allergic to the same fragranced "synthetic" - perfumery oils.)
• -Don't use aromatherapy if you are Pregnant. Especially in the first 3 months!

(for a review of these and other books click here)

Aromatherapy An A-Z by Patricia Davis

Aromatherapy Workbook by Shirley Price

Aromatherapy A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essentials Oils by Valerie Cooksley

Practical Aromatherapy by Robyn M. Feller

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential oils by Julia Lawless

Aromatherapy Book of Applications and Inhalations by Jeanne Rose

Base or Carrier Oils: These are the oils that Essential oils are mixed with to make them more safe before applying to the skin. What kind of base oils you use depends on the type of skin you have (dry, oily, etc). What oil(s) you use depends on what they are for (massage, bathing, soaks, compresses, etc.)?

There are many places you can purchase them. But buyer beware, not all Essential Oils are the same! You want to make sure your oils are 100% PURE. That no carrier oils unless stated on the label (as is the case of your precious and rare oils to make a 5% or 10% mixture) or other contaminates or adulterates have been introduced. Please click below to see what Birch Hill Happenings - Aromatherapy, Essential oils and Supplies has to offer! There is a convenient "Shopping Cart" with a secure server to make your purchases on line.

Disclaimer:
We do not endorse, nor do we encourage anyone to implement Aromatherapy or any suggestions contained within this site without the consent of his/her medical doctor. We also do not take any liability for your implementation of any oils, recipes, or anything else available through this site, from any book or company recommendation, or available on any site linked from Birch Hill Happenings