Oils
Aromatherapy have been used in many civilizations for thousands of years. Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils on both the mind and the body in a natural and safe way. Physically, essential oils enter the body by penetrating the layers of skin. From there they are absorbed into the bloodstream. Their action triggers an emotional response which is through the direct link the sense of smell has with the brain. The combination of these two actions provides a powerful healing force, and it is for this reason that aromatherapy has many uses. Essential oils should not be confused or even compared to herbes, as they contain only some of the constituents of the plant, and therefore they will have only some of the healing properties of the plant. But because the oil is a more concentrated extract from the plant, it is a much more powerful substance and , unlike herbes is are seldom taken internally. Please see precautions on next page , along with some recipes.
Lavender - Used since time immemorial for its antiseptic quality by the Romans who used it to bathe and cleanse their wounds. Lavender is distilled from the silvery lilac spikes of Lavandula angustifolia, the well known shrub which emits a cool, elegant floral aroma with woody undertones.This oil is a middle note.
	Orange - The Romans are recorded as creating the remedy of orange-flower water as a beverage to prevent drunkenness and indigestion. The essential oil of orange carries a sweet, warm, sensuously radiant aroma conveying a light-hearted happiness whilst calming and relaxing. Expressed from the rind of bitter orange Citrus aurantiun this oil has a light yellowish hue and carries a crisp top note fragrance.
Sandalwood - is extracted from the innermost heartwood of Sanalum Album, a slow growing evergreen from the Indian mountains of Mysore. This stirring, sense-exciting molecules of androsterone, a male pheromone or mating signal and carries a soft honey sweet, woody balsamic aroma. This oil is a base note, having a great lasting appeal.
	Majoram - In ancient Egypt Majoram was sacred to the god Osiris, and many modern men find its peppery scent more acceptable than floral oils. Majoram is distilled from the flowering tips of the Mediterranean perennial herbe Origanum Majorana, whose name translated means "joy of the mountain". The penetrating woody, spicy-camphorous scent of Majoram is warm and fortifying.This is a Middle Note.
Rosemary - Greek and Roman students once wore wreaths of Rosemary during exams to energize their memories and revitalize their minds. Sprigs of Rosemary are worn in Australia on Anzac day as a traditional symbol of remembrance. Rosemary, distilled from the vigorous European bush Rosmarinus officinalis has a brisk clear and invigorating herbal aroma and is a middle note.
	Bergamot - Popularized in Italian medicine folklore, Bergamot is pressed from the fresh peel of a small orange, Citrus aurantium var bergamia, first grown in the northern Italian village of Bergamot. This oil is light, floral and citrusy with a yellowish-green hue. It is a top not, vaporizing quickly.
Lemon - With the return of the crusaders from the Holy Wars of the middle ages came rich treasures, one of these was the humble Lemon. Seafaring ancestors would not sail without the security of a galley full of lemons to ward off the evil scurvy. Lemon is pressed from the outer skin of the familiar fruit Citrus Limon. It holds its own characteristic fresh aroma as it is a top note being quick to vaporize.
	Cedarwood - This oil was valued highly by Egyptian beauticians for its preserving qualities. Cedarwood is steam distilled rom the chips of the atlantic cedar, Cedrus atlantica , native to the atlas mountains of Algeria and Morroco. This oil has a dry, woody, balsamic scent that has the restful, centering effect of a forrest. Its wonderfully woody aroma is particularly popular for men's toiletries and is a base note.
Pine - The crisp, exhilarating fragrance of Pine forests has always helped troubled minds find rest and strength. People have been known to flock to areas of abundant pine growth, as the invigorating fresh air is excellent for lung complaints. Pine holds a strong, dry-balsamic, turpentine aroma and is a middle note.
	Rosewood - Often referred to as Bois de Rose, this oil is steam, distilled from the woodchips of the Brazilian tree Aniba roseodora, and its rich rosy tones can be worn on the skin making a complex and unique perfume. Rosewood's warm and enriching aroma is a Middle note.
Cypress - was prized by Egyptian beauticians for its preservative properties and they devoted this oil to their Pharaohs. This oil is distilled from the leaves and twigs of the evergreen Cupressus sempervirens, a tall perennial tree common to the Mediterranean region. The clarifying scent of Cypress calms and grounds and is a Middle to Base note.
	Lime - A West Indian native that is now cultivated in warm climates world wide, Cirus aurantifolia was greatly valued by early navigators as a scurvy preventative. The whole of this juicy, cooling fruit is steam distilled producing a sweetly characteristic, lively and reviving clear oil. This oil is a top note vaporizing quickly.
Juniper - The 15th and 16th century herbalists praised it highly not only for its effect on the Plague, but also as a cure for bites. The Celtic 'Juneprus' means acrid or biting. Juniper is distilled from the dark sapphire-blue berries of an evergreen European shrub Juniperus communis. It has a clear, spiced-wood smell ideal for use in aftershave and is a middle note.
	Frankincense - One of the world's most highly prized substances, the fumy ceremonial aroma of Frankincense has been used since antiquity. In ancient Egypt it was used in rejuvenating face masks, cosmetics and perfumes. Frankincense, also known as Oilanum, is collected from the sweet smelling tears of resin shed by Boswellia carterii, small trees on the Arabian peninsula. The resin is collected and steam distilled to produce this essential oil. The oil emits a haunting, balsamic wood aroma with a spicy tone and is a base note being slow to vaporize.
Geranium - Once regarded as a great healing plant, people used to plant Geranium around their cottages to keep evil spirits away. This rosy scented oil with mint overtones is steam distilled from Pelargonium graveolens, a plant often seen in hedgerows having serrated, pointy leaves with pink flowers. This ia a middle note.
	Basil - In greek its name means 'royal remedy or 'king'. Basil is light green in colour and is distilled from the aromatic annual Ocimum basilicum, beloved culinary plant of Indian, Asian and Mediterranean countries. Basil is a top note vaporizing quickly.
Ginger - One of the most common remedies used by Chinese physicians for winter ills and chills, And any condition where the system isn't coping with moisture. This light yellow oil is steam distilled from the root of the exotic Zingiber officinale, introduced to Europe and America and used as a spice condiment during the Middle Ages. Having such a warmth this oil is a natural Top note.
	Peppermint - This oil is steam distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of the familiar Peppermint herbe Mentha x piperta. It has a powerfully penetrating menthol and herbaceous scent and is a top note. Peppermint appears predominately in the Eastern and Western commercial world in the form of after dinner mints, toothpaste and breath fresheners.
Clove - The Chinese chewed Clove to freshen their breathe before audiences with the Em porer, whereas the Europeans wore Clove necklaces to escape infection during the Great Plagues. The brilliant red flowering buds of the tropical Syzygium aromaticum tree native to Indonesia, are distilled to create this oil. This sweet, hot, rich spice oil with pain-relieving properties is a base note having an intense lasting aroma.
	Eucalyptus - Distilled from the Blue Mallee leaves of Eucalptus fruticetorum in Northern Victoria, this native Australian bush remedy delivers a clean, sweet smelling blue gum aroma. This highly medicinal oil, renowned the world over is a top note.
Ylang Ylang - This oil is distilled from the blossoms of Cananga odorata, an exotic tree found in the tropics. Known in the Philippines as the 'flower of flowers', these erotic blossoms are spread over the beds of island newly-weds to heighten their honeymoon and lull first night nerves. This oil is a middle to base note.
	Teatree - This wonderful healing oil is distilled from the young tops of the Melaleuca alternifolia trees growing in the Northern New South Wales region of Australia. Tea Tree is prized world wide for its antiseptic and tissue healing properties. This top note is a must for any first aide kit.
Myrrh - It is said that no soldier of Ancient Greece went into battle without a paste of Myrrh in his pouch. This valuable thick red oil, with its earthy tone is reminiscent of the African sun. Steam distilled from the resinous gum, Myrrh's smokey desert aroma is a base note.
	Clary Sage - This oil is distilled from the flowering herbe of Salvia sclarea ,a European herbe. It is a complex oil with a particular affinity with the female cycle. Clary Sage has a herbal, nutty scent and is a top to middle note.
Rose - The tender red petals of thirty Rosa damascena flowers are reduced to produce a single drop of Rose, the world's most precious essential oil. Celebrated in legend as the blood of the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, Rose is gloriously intense. Its stirring perfume is known for its voluptuous effects on human hearts. This oil is a Middle to Base note.
	Chamomile - During tudor times, poets penned burning verses while reclining on Chamomile perfumed turf. Botanist's often refer to Chamomile as the 'plant's physician' as it seems to promote the health of its neighboring herbaceous companions. Chamomile is distilled from the floral juice of Anthemis nobilis, and is also known as Roman Chamomile which has been used for centuries in European health traditions to treat nervous conditions. It is a characteristic warm-sweet herbaceous middle note.
Jasmine - Cleopatra reputedly seduced Mark Antony by wearing this spellbinding oil to their business meetings. As rose speaks of love, so Jasmine speaks of romance. This is undeniably one of the most exquisite and precious jewels in the aromatherapy crown. Harem favorites once soaked in Jasmine scented baths to induce ecstasy. Painstakingly extracted from the delicate creeper Jasminium grandiflorum ,Jasmine is one of the world's mostexpensive and long-lasting essences. Over 300 hand picked blossoms donate their fragrance to fill a 13ml bottle. This oil is a middle to base note.
	Neroli - Was used as a primary ingredient in the first Eau de Cologne in the 18th centuary. This exquisite oil's namesake is credited to a princess of Nerola in Italy who cherished wearing it as a perfume. Responsible for the wonderful scent of the orange flower, it is yellowish in colour and takes one ton of flowers to extract one kilogram of oil, hence this oil's expensiveness, and is a middle to base note.
		Now onto the Recipes

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