Why Not Lime?

What is the Deal with Essential Oils?

Right? I mean, what are they? And are they really essential?

I decided that the best way to figure that out was to go out and buy some for myself.

Of course, like almost everything I do, I was in a hurry. I was supposed to be meeting with a friend who was in town for only a day, but thought I could squeeze in a quick trip to Jane’s Health Market first. (What is this simple life they speak of?)

My scent ideas came from this “green cleaning” seminar I went to - the one I mentioned in my last post. Apparently you can use them to make a vinegar cleaning solution smell better than it otherwise would. (I can imagine that would require some help.)

So, I picked up Tea Tree Oil and Rosemary. Of course I tried smelling nearly half of the 70 scents they had there, effectively making my “quick trip” take about 4 times longer, but I couldn’t help it. On the sides of the bottle, it lists what kind of effect each essential oil is supposed to have, and I kind of wanted to know if the lavendar would really make me feel relaxed, or if the orange blossom would make me feel awake, or if the lemongrass would make me feel energized.

After I started to feel pretty much confused about my own state of being, I finally just selected my original two scents. The woman at the register (Jane?) directed me to some recipe cards in the back of the store, and I gladly took at least 20. Nevermind that I hadn’t bought Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, or Wild Chamomile. I wanted to know what I could do with them.

I found a card on Rosemary, too. Apparently, its “fresh, bracing aroma seems to have an invigorating effect on the senses and on memory.”

So… if we can convince students to sniff Rosemary instead of glue, we might be onto something here.

Wild Chamomile is balancing and calming, and they encourage you to use it in your home or office. Hmm… I have a hard enough time being alert in the morning.

Me to boss, while standing at coffee maker: “Yup, yup, on my seventh cup today. That Wild Chamomile really works.”

OH, nice… Bergamot. “Especially helpful to creative work, the fragrance can inspire fresh perspectives and renewed energy.” It also “promotes feelings of cheerfulness and self-confidence.” Wait… what about the suffering artists? What happens to their work when bergamot is introduced into the environment?

This recipe made me giggle, but I think I want to try it anyway:

“Inspiring Temple Massage

3 drops bergamot (bergaptene-free) oil
3 drops clary sage oil
1 tablespoon sweet almond or grapeseed oil

Place one or two drops of the mixture on your finger tips and gently massage your temples. Close your eyes and enjoy the warm, sweet aroma while your powers of creativity and concentration return to full strength.”

Okay, so essential oils are supposedly completely natural, purely derived from plants. If you see “essential oils” listed on a product, you can know that they’re a good thing. And I defer to Wikipedia for a real explanation (I hope).

I haven’t much used my two oils yet, but I have them, and I will let you know how it goes down.

So do any of you have any experiences with essential oils? What have you used them for? What are your favorites? Do they work?

Okay I’m done asking questions. Let me know your thoughts!

Posted under: Clean Green, Organic Health, Essential Oils