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Essential Oils and Their Qualities

“When we send down water upon it, [earth], it quivers and swells, and puts forth herbs of every joyous kind.” ~The Koran

For those of you new to my blog, website and facebook page, I am the author of two lifestyle books on home-spa rituals, taking time for yourself, and luxuriating in your own relaxing retreat at home. It is such a privilege to help make your world a prettier, more comfortable place. For those of you who have been friends and fans for the last 10 years, I have so enjoyed hearing how these books have inspired you to indulge in life’s little luxuries with wonderful body treatments, aromatherapy, spa cuisine, and home caring rituals.

From pages 39 & 40 of “Chin Deep in Bubbles”— Essential Oils and Their Qualities

In Shakespeare’s, Hamlet, Ophelia describes a bouquet of flowers as she treads closer and closer to her watery grave. She gives each flower a meaning. Did you know that each herb has a special meaning too? When using the following essential oils in your home-spa recipes, I encourage you to ponder the meaning behind each herb.

BASIL~ (Basileus) means “king.” Said to have grown at the sight of the crucifixion. Calms nerves. Stimulates memory. Has a clove-like aroma.

CAMOMILE~ (Chamaemelum Nobile) means “energy in adversity.” Has a soporific effect. Induces sleep. Calms nerves. Soothes, relaxes, refreshes. Is a wonderful aid for digestion.

CEDARWOOD~ (Cedrus) means “strength.” Relaxes. Posesses a sensual scent.

CLARY SAGE~ (Salvia Sclarea) means “domestic virtue.” Refreshing. Sometimes used to flavor wine.

EUCALYPTUS~ (Eucalyptus) means “to cover.” Clears nasal passages. Soothes, cools and invigorates.

FRANKINCENSE~ (Boswellia) means “free, pure, calming.”

GERANIUM~ (Geranium) means comforting, relaxing, soothing.

GINGER~ (Zingiber Officinale) means “lively.” Calms the stomach. Sharpens the senses.

JASMINE~ (Jasminum) Also known as “Jessamine.” Means “amiability.” Mostly grown in France and Morocco. Soothing and fragrant.

LAVENDER~ (Lavendula) means “distrust.” A favorite, classic, old world plant. Related to mint. Extremely healing and energizing.

LEMONGRASS~ (Cymbopogon Citratus) means “cheer.” Rejuvenating.

MYRRH~ (Commiphora) means “gladness.” Relieves stress. Medicinal. Meditative.

NEROLI~ Distilled from orange blossoms. Named for 17th princess of Nerola, Anna Maria. Orange blossoms mean “purity.” Uplifting.

PATCHOULI~ (Pogostemon Cablin) means “virtue.” Also called Love Oil. Soothing.

*Note- Always dilute essential oils. Store in dark glass bottles.

Enjoy!

~Melissa

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4 Comments

  1. I am a proud owner of your books, and a definite fan of both your blog and Facebook page, so although I am fortunate enough to have this information on my bookshelf in the beautifully hand illustrated and written pages of your lovely books, it’s nice to be able to have a super quick reference without worrying about smudging the pages. 🙂

  2. With all your research, have you any suggestions for those of us with severe allergies?? I desperately love bath soaks & salts, but have the hardest time finding affordable, good quality products that don’t bother my allergies. It gets expensive trying different brands with bad results.

  3. Kimber, because allergies are such a personal thing, that’s a tough one. I would venture to say that if you know you’re not allergic to mint that would be safe…and because lavender is actually a plant in the mint family, lavender would probably be safe too. Mint and lavender are the ones I’d start with as they are universally the plants that heal and are actually very mild, (I used lavender on both of my babies) despite their strong scent. Start with the best essential oils (mentioned in the above post) OR go to a place like Whole Foods or the Wedge and get their purest oils. buy yourself a little bottle of carrier oil (such as grape seed, sweet almond…) and add just a few drops to the oil to begin with. If you notice a negative reaction you could always give massage oils as Christmas gifts! 🙂 Hope this helps.