Healing Scents

Herbs and essential oils have long been used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. (pilipphoto/Shutterstock)

Herbal Medicine

Herbs and essential oils have been playing an important role as health aids for millennia. According to archeological evidence, the first use of medicinal herbs dates back to the Paleolithic age, approximately 60,000 years ago. We can also find many records showing that the ancient Greeks already had an immense knowledge of herbal medicine. For instance, Achilles, hero of the Trojan War, used yarrow to treat his injured army. Nowadays, yarrow is still used in Scotland as a traditional ointment to treat wounds.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy, using essential oils, was derived from herbal medicine, and it has long been used for treatments in Arabia and Europe. It developed in close connection with European alchemy, which aims to extract essential oils (considered a fifth element) from plants by steam distillation. Even today, many consider that essential oils are sacred medicines, possessing the power of plants.

In the early 1990s, Robert Tisserand spread aromatherapy worldwide. Over the decades, it has gained popularity—mainly among females—as a hobby, beauty treatment, and relaxation method. In the medical field, aromatherapy has become an alternative medicine, often used as an adjunct therapy to prevent illness, or to improve the environment of a hospital.

In general, there are three paths through which essential oils can work on the mind and body:

• Inhalation through the olfactory system. When inhaled, they also dissolve from the lungs to the blood. The aroma molecules are converted into nerve impulses by the sense of smell and are transmitted to the brain, affecting the mind and body.
• Absorption through the surface of the skin. They pass through the skin, enter the bloodstream, and enter the body.
• Taken internally. But beware that some essential oils are not safe to ingest.

The essential oils used in aromatherapy are volatile oils, obtained by steam distillation from flowers, stems, roots, resins, and peels, etc. However, even when they come from the same plants, dry herbal ingredients and the essential oils of these herbs have different impacts on the human body. Notably, many essential oils are not safe for use by pregnant women or infants, while it is safe for them to use the dry herbal ingredients for cooking or in drinks.

Rosemary Blended Herbal Tea

Serves 4

During the medieval period (Middle Ages), rosemary was thought to be capable of dispelling negativity, and was symbolic of new beginning and rebirth. As the place that provided medical remedies to citizens at that time, most of the churches in Europe had rosemary planted in their gardens. Rosemary had important medicinal properties for alleviating muscle pain, as well as boosting the immune and circulatory systems. And the aroma will help to improve memory.

Ingredients

• 3 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon of Rooibos
• 1 teaspoon of dried dandelion
• Honey to taste

Instructions

1. Boil the water in a pot
2. Put all the herbs into the pot and steam for 5 minutes

Have a cup after dinner everyday. It will help to clean the liver, and has detox effects.

English Lavender and Lemon Tea

Serves 4

Lavender has over 45 different species with over 450 varieties. If you know the lavender well, it will be your best friend.

Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy. Even though there are many varieties in the species, English lavender and French lavender are what you should always keep in your house.

English lavender is an early summer-blooming flower that reminds you summer is just around the corner. It has a lighter scent compared to French lavender, but English lavender essential oil is a great ingredient for baking or making ice cream. And dry English lavender is perfect for entertaining houseguests.

Ingredients

• 3 cups of hot water
• 1 teaspoon of dry English lavender
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 4 slices of lemon

Instructions

1. Put the dry English lavender into a teapot.
2. Pour the hot water into the teapot, cover for 2-3 minutes.
3. Serve the tea, and let the guests add the lemon by themselves.
4. Once the lemon is in, it will transform the color of the lavender tea from purple to beautiful pink.

French lavender blooms from early to midsummer. The aroma is divine, but this essential oil is not generally used in cooking. Instead, it is popular for aromatherapy and DIY home cleaning products. The DIY air freshener can usually last for three months. This essential oil can clean the air and keep the bugs away.

French Lavender DIY Air Freshener Spray

Ingredients

• One spray bottle
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• French lavender essential oil
• 2 ½ cups of water

Instructions

1. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the bottle
2. Mix with 6 drops of essential oil
3. Add water and shake well

Home Remedies

Keep them in the home, but keep out of little mouths!

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

This oil prevents mosquito and tick bites. A recent study showed that using a mixture of 32 percent lemon eucalyptus oil provided more than 95 percent protection against mosquitoes for three hours. Also, applying 30 percent lemon eucalyptus oil extract three times daily can significantly prevent tick bites for those who live in tick-infested areas.

Note:  Lemon eucalyptus oil is, however, unsafe to take by mouth, and it is not safe for pets.

Tea Tree Oil

This super-essential oil originates from Australia. You always want to keep this tea tree oil in your house as a remedy. It is a powerful weapon against acne. It can calm inflammation and reduce acne-causing bacteria. In addition, it can prevent infection in minor cuts and abrasions, and it boosts wound healing.

Note: Avoid undiluted applications of essential oils. Applying a mixture of tea tree oil along with drops of a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil, is recommended.