Top six scents to improve your health

Discover the healing powers of different smells.

The complete holistic medicine, aromatherapy utilises the power of smell to help one heal emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

One of the most uplifting fragrances, Peppermint instills confidence and helps to clarify thoughts and emotions.  Physically, peppermint has the quirky talent of being both warming and cooling, which makes it the perfect digestive remedy, helping to quell nausea, indigestion and bloating. Drink peppermint tea.  Also good for sinus congestion, asthma and bronchitis, add peppermint oil to a steam vaporizer.

 

Rose (Rosa damascena)

Think love.  Think compassion.  Rose is the most sensual, not sexual of the essential oils.  Fabulously aromatic and fantastically expensive, only a couple of drops are needed to work it’s magic.  Massage over the heart chakra with rose oil will help mend a broken heart and provide harmony and strength through tough times.  Rose is used in cosmetic preparations to reduce redness and improve dry skin.

 

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Derived from the Latin word ‘lavare’ – to wash, lavender is commonly used in soaps, bath oils and detergents.  A calming, soothing fragrance, lavender is the perfect stress buster.  Studies have shown that the smell of lavender can even lover blood pressure.  A drop of lavender oil massaged onto the temples and scalp can treat a headache.  Lavender is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, perfect for insect bites and rashes.

 

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

The first aid kit in a bottle, Tea tree is an Australian indigenous medicine.  Studies have shown it to be amazingly effective against a host of infectious agents including fungi, bacteria and viruses. It is added to soaps, toothpastes, deodorants, disinfectants and even douches.  Often used for athletes foot, jock itch and thrush.  Tea tree oil is capable of increasing cell growth in damaged tissue, so it is helpful in a diluted wash or cream to treat mild burns, wounds and even acne.

 

Sandalwood (Santalum album)

The oldest perfume of all, used for at least 4,000 years, Sandalwood is a deeply spiritual essence.  Often incorporated into incense, sandalwood sets the scene for meditation and travelling deeper into self, helping one to attain inner calm.  In addition to this aspect, Ayurvedic medicine uses sandalwood to help treat urinary tract infections, skin and respiratory tract infections and as an aphrodisiac.

 

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Chamomile is a soothing remedy for digestive problems, tension headaches, sleeplessness and even for babies' colic and teething. Drink as a tea, or add a few drops to a bath or on a flannel and apply to the body part as a warm compress. Chamomile is also calming emotionally, helping one cope during a stressful time.
For home use essential oils should not be taken internally, as they can be toxic.

Massage oil - 10 drops essential oil to 100mls of base oil (eg almond oil, olive oil)

Cream – 15 drops essential oil to 100g of vitamin E base cream (from pharmacy)

Bath – 10-15 drops essential oil to bathwater

Steam vaporizer – 5-10 drops

Essential oil burner - 5-10 drops in water

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/