Midwives use them to ease the pains of the mother during childbirth.

Therapists have utilized them to alleviate symptoms of depression and balance mood swings.

Women have applied them to their hair for generations, to stimulate growth and instill shine.

Patients with arthritis have found them indispensable for joint pain relief.

What is this seemingly enigmatic key to natural health and beauty, you ask? Why, the secret is right under your nose…literally!

I present to you the magic of: essential oils.

What Are Essential Oils?

In simple terms, these are oils that are extracted from plants–the flowers, leaves, seeds, even wood. For thousands of years, people throughout the world have used  essential oils for medicinal, cosmetic, and culinary purposes. Some cultures even incorporate essential oils into their religious and spiritual practices (i.e. frankincense and myrrh.)

You may have had the pleasure of encountering some commonly used essential oils in your everyday life, such as lavender, peppermint, and rosemary, for example.  For health purposes, the applications are infinite.  My “medicine” cabinet at home consists of a myriad of essential oils, which aid in everything from mosquito bites to headaches. Similarly, essential oils are ideal for achieving and maintaining natural beauty. They are commonly used in body polishes, lotions, hair creams and perfumes. In an earlier post, I shared with you some foot scrubs you can make at home using essential oils.

This is the first in an ongoing series on the healing and aesthetic power of essential oils. In upcoming posts, I will answer frequently asked questions about essential oils,  as well as highlight the properties and applications of essential oils you can use at home.  Stay tuned!