essential oil


I have been doing some research lately, looking into aromatherapy type methods of helping with headaches. I rarely get headaches, usually they're caused by dehydration or because I'm hungry. But if that's not the cause, then the other type of headache I get is typically a tension headache, generally caused by something I was doing. There are times that I can't figure out what caused the headache, and those are the times that I really would like to find an alternative to a pill to help with it.

Well, this lead me to Google and seeing if there were any alternative ways of treating headaches. What I found was something I have thought about making, but hesitate because I would almost never use it. I found a cool headache balm, which is kind of like a solid perfume. The recipe uses essential oil and wax, among other things. You make it like you do a candle, then pour it into a tin. When you have a headache, you simply spread it on your temples and it will help ease the headache. The way this works is the lavender essential oil, you just breath in the scent of this essential oil and it helps ease the pain.

Essential oil is also used in candles these days, which gives you a bolder, and better scent than the regular candle scents that you pick up at craft stores. A few of my friends and I were talking about candle making one night and I showed off my knowledge by answering all of my one friend's questions. The funny thing about this is, I attempted to make candles once back in the late 80s, but don't remember it coming out well. A few years ago I bought a starter kit from a craft store, it's one of those kits that comes with the pitcher, wick, thermometer, mold and some wax and scent. A good little thing to get you started. Well it's still sitting unopened in my basement waiting for me to find the time to work on it. My other friend asked if I make candles (she herself makes and sells them) because of my knowledge and I laughed and said no. I explained how I've read up on it though because it's something I've been interested in doing. Her recommendation was to use essential oil over the cheapy candle scents that are so readily available in craft stores. I've been a candle lover for years and I have to agree, candles made with essential oil have a much better scent and the scent lasts longer, than those made with regular candle scents.

Essential oils are concentrated aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation. Other processes include expression, or solvent extraction. They are used in perfumes, cosmetics and bath products, for flavoring food and drink, and for scenting incense and household cleaning products.