Doing inventory of my essential oils and essential oil blends to see what I need to reorder is a quiet, serene task. It reminds me how important it is for us to make space in and around our homes for those things that give us peace and maybe help us do a little self-inventory, as well.
ETA: I never forget my mother’s birthday. I never forget my parents’ wedding anniversary. But almost always, June 1 slips by me. I’ve been confused by what day it is for two weeks now, so I was surprised when I noticed it’s June 1. THIS time, at least, the memory of my family being together on June 1, 2008, to say goodbye to Dorothy Jean, didn’t get by me.
It may be a stupid question – but how do you use the oils?
It’s interesting what dates we remember. I remember the dates of my brother’s, my parents’ and my grandparents’ birthdays, wedding anniversaries and dates of death – but not the funerals. I find it scary how time races by.
Rarely now, I make blends for people who want them for specific purposes. That used to be part of a business I owned.
Mixing a blend of certain essential oils (they aren’t actually oily) into a carrier oil, can be of physical and mental/emotional assistance. For example, lavender is a good oil for skin issues. Bergamot can be good for anxiety. Another method I use at home is putting oils in water in a mister to provide calmness, energy, ease of breathing, etc. (This kind of use requires understanding all the effects of an oil. For example, I love peppermint essential oil, but it’s not good for dogs or cats, so I don’t diffuse it. Some oils are not good for children under a certain age, etc.) I use them a lot for help with sleep; one blend I have (commercially made) is meant to be rubbed on the pulse points of the wrists.
Aromatherapy is a centuries-old practice that I think can complement, not replace, modern mainstream medicine.
I use reed diffusers at home, but I don’t spray anything and I certainly can’t use incense burners because of the birds. I guess I could upstairs, but not in the living room.
Complementary therapies are just that – as you say, not a replacement.