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For many centuries essential oils have been used for the treatment of illnesses and other physical and spiritual needs. For instance, we find in the New Testament that wise men presented the Christ child with frankincense and myrrh. Both of these are essential oils.

Essential oils are volatile liquids distilled from flowers, roots, bushes, seeds, trees and shrubs. For example, the essential oils of orange, petitgrain and neroli all come from various parts of an orange tree. It takes different amounts of plant material to produce equal amounts of essential oil depending upon the oil. For instance, it takes sixty thousand rose petals to produce one ounce of pure rose essential oil, but you can get one pound of pure lavender essential oil from about 30 pounds of lavender.

Essential oils are different from vegetable oils such as avocado oil or olive oil. They are not greasy so they do not clog the pores of the skin like vegetable oils can. Scientific research has proven that some of these essential oils have remarkable medicinal properties.

Essential oils contain many different chemicals and they can have many different effects on the body. For example, lavender essential oil has been used for burns, insect bites, headaches, PMS, insomnia, stress and hair growth. For safe topical use, essential oils must be diluted with another substance, usually a base oil such as jojoba oil. As a general rule, essential oils are not meant to be taken internally. Do not take any essential oil internally without the supervision of a trained professional.

To read more about essential oils, you can purchase the book The Complete Book of Essential Oils by Valerie Ann Worwood. Novato, CA: New World Library, 1991. 

As we learn more about essential oils, we are finding that we can use them to take control of our life and environment.

For instance, in your garden some of your beautiful plants may attract aphids. We have found a non-chemical treatment to use without causing you to cough and your eyes to burn. You can make a spray of peppermint essential oil. Just put 4-8 drops of oil in 1 gallon of water and spray your plants.

You can also use peppermint oil to keep mice and ants away. If ants are coming into your house, put one or two drops of peppermint essential oil on the threshold or wherever they enter. To clear a nest, put 2 drops of peppermint essential oil directly into the nest and the ants will scatter. Mice hate peppermint too, and you can use the same methods with them.

Mosquitoes dislike the aroma of lemongrass, citronella or lavender essential oils. Add 3 drops of one of these oils to a cereal bowl of water and soak some ribbons in this solution. Then attach the ribbons to the branches of your trees. These flying insects will decide there is a better place to be. If you have candles outside, put a drop of the essential oil into the melted wax at the top. Or if you have an outside light, put one drop of oil on the bulb. As the bulb heats up, the aroma will be released. (Don’t add the oil when the bulb is hot, though.)

Many essential oils can be diluted in base oils (such as jojoba or olive oil) and applied to the skin. Or they can be used in the bath. They can even be used by inhalation. Lavender essential oil wiped on a burn leaves no scars and using a drop rubbed into the temples when you have a headache brings such relief. Put a few drops on a cotton ball and put it in your closet to deter moths.

The information for this post was taken from:
Natural Beauty Recipe Book, by Gill Farrer-Halls. Gloucester Mass. Quarry Books, 2006
The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, By Valerie Ann Worwood. Novato, CA. New World Library, 1991