Essential Oils

Some days as I complete my morning coffee ritual, I also light a tea light under my oil simmer pot. I have a few oils on standby such as pure peppermint and a blend of vanilla and cinnamon. It's quite amazing how the aroma of vanilla can calm, or cinnamon can invigorate. Peppermint smells delicious, and reminds me of the holidays. It's a simple way of creating a warm, comfortable home, while at the same time providing healthy benefits for the family.

Essential oils, when diffused into the air, improve air quality. The oils work when simmered, because they release negative ions which then help to cleanse the air by weighing down dust, and other particles. There are other bonuses too. Applied topically or by diffusing, certain oils, such as Tea Tree and Eucalyptus or Lavender can actually kill bacteria and viruses.
Each essential oil has a healing property to it.

Tea tree oil is antibiotic, antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral and can be used as a disinfectant. To get the benefits apply directly to skin infections, pimples, burns and small wounds. For its cold and flu fighting properties, diffuse a few drops in a diffuser or in a simmer pot. This has become a staple treatment when my daughter has a cough, and works wonders.

Lavender oil is antiseptic, antibiotic, antidepressant, antiviral and toning among other properties. It can treat eczema, pimples, burns and cuts or small wounds. Applied to the face after cleansing, the Lavender oil works as an astringent, toning the face. The oil is useful in labour, or when a migraine occurs. I've also used this oil to treat mild ear aches.

There are many other essential oils; Rose, Eucalyptus, chamolmile, clary sage, geranium, jasmine, lemon, mandarin, rosemary, sandalwood, ylang ylang.....All have the benefit of medicinal qualities.
Whatever your aroma preference, there is an oil or oil blend out there for your home. Essential oils are very concentrated substances, therefore not much oil is needed to reap the benefits. If you would prefer not to use candles there are other ways of diffusing oils, such as using an electric diffuser.

As with all medicinal treatments please be safe and follow all labels and directions, or the advice of a health care professional.

Resources
Allison England. 2000. Aromatherapy and Massage. Healing arts press, Rochester, Vermont.
Safaei-Ghomi, J and Ahd, A.A. 2010. Antimicrobial and antifungal properties of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Eucalyptus largiflorens and Eucalyptus intertexta. PHARMACOGNOSY MAGAZINE. Vol 6, Iss.23. pgs. 172-175.