August 15, 2004

A Waiting Room of Oranges

When I first became aware of essential oils I was a little overwhelmed by the vast amount of oils to choose from and the question of what oil to use for what ailment. I saw very inexpensive essentials oils in health food stores being sold as perfumes. I saw very expensive essential oils behind locked cabinets like rare gems. I didn’t know what to look for in determining the purity of an oil. Basically I passed on using them therapeutically because I was too busy with other things in my life to take the time to educate myself.

I’d like to use this blog to introduce you to different oils and their benefits so you don’t have to stand in front of an oil display feeling lost. After some time you’ll become the oil expert your friends will be calling for advice.

I read a study about how patients in dentist’s offices are relieved of their anxiety about their appointment when orange essential oil was diffused into the waiting room. Orange is one of the least expensive oils because of the availability of the fruit, and therapeutic-grade orange oil is potent and very pleasurable to inhale. Its an antiseptic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, and sedative.

I keep a bottle of orange in my purse with me because it’s the kind of oil you can put on anywhere without drawing attention to yourself. Who doesn’t like the fragrance of orange when they encounter it?

After I read about the dentist’s office I became aware of what any public place smells like when I walk into it. From beauty parlors to workout studios to medical offices, I was breathing in whatever was in my environment. I know a naturopath who diffuses Purification in his office purely for the purposes of killing bacteria and air-born viruses. Very smart.

After I heard this, I started diffusing Purification in my home during cold and flu seasons. Especially when one of my friends was sitting on my couch coughing. Call me paranoid, but I didn’t get the flu this winter when everyone around me was lining up for flu vaccines and calling in sick. Mere coincidence you say? I guess we’ll never know.