The Art of Herbal Scents...

Aromatherapy, the art of healing with aromatic plants, or with the
oils of those
plants, was well known to the ancient ones. The Egyptians, the Romans
and the
Greeks all practiced it as an integral part of their medicinal lore.
Wise women
and men treasured the secrets of precious scents and applied them
with great
skill. The Romans massaged themselves with sweet-smelling unguents
before
plunging into their elaborate baths. The Greeks assigned a godlike
virtue to
each plant, and by inhaling the fragrance, they believed they would
assume the
attributes of that god. During the Plague of Europe's 17th Century,
the
perfumers who dispensed the pine, cypress and cedar incense that was
burnt in
the streets and in the hospitals to mask the dreadful odors, those
perfumers
were UNTOUCHED by the virulent disease that annihilated great masses
of the
population.

Of course, medical science has come a long way. Many treatments that
were used
in the past have been supplanted by more modern, more scientific
methods. But,
have they thrown out the baby with the bathwater? About a hundred
years ago, the
great medical minds of the world decided that this herbal scent
business was
just so much superstition, and that such old-wive's tales had no
place in Modern
Medicine. Since that time, no medical practitioner would recommend
scent, with
the exception of the menthol-type scents burnt or inhaled for
respiratory
complaints, which were already known to be so effective that to
forbid them
would place a seal of unbelieveability on the entire edict. All other
scent-
medications were scorned, even though they had proven to be a very
effective
means of well-keeping. And the public, believing the medical
profession to be
infallible, went along with it. Today, aromatherapy is enjoying a re-
birth in
the holistic spirit of New Age Medicine.

The mind plays a major role in all bodily ailments, as proven by
recent
research. That is not to say that the mind can cure the body of all
its
ailments, but fragrances that can alter the patient's emotional state
may be
able to leave the way open for a beneficial cure, by accepted means.
In other
words, why leave anything to chance? What would it hurt to smell an
herb when
you have a headache? Would it infringe upon the noble Medicine Man's
territory
if we sniffed flowers when our tummies hurt?

IF YOU NEED MEDICATION, TAKE MEDICATION. But, be sure you need it.
Are you
taking medication because it is required by your condition, or are you
popping pills you bought over the counter to self-cure a 'minor'
problem?
Illnesses that are stress-induced, like asthma, headache, and
depression respond
very well to inhalation therapy. Skin disorders, respiratory
ailments, digestive
problems and backache can respond to inhalation and massage with
scented oils.
The same way a lovely perfume evokes memories, or desires, all
fragrances cause
the brain to respond in some way. If the fragrance brings about a
sense of
relaxed wellness, who is to say that that is not the healing element?
Aromatic
bathing enhances the benefits of the scents used as inhalants or
tactile
medicants.

Along the same lines, the inhalation of a burning scent, if purely
made, would
have the same or maybe a more readily-absorbable effect. So, take
stock of the
fragrances available to you, in the forms of incense, oils,
potpourris and even
teas. Even if they don't heal what ails you, they can make you feel
more
relaxed, more well. And isn't that what you wanted, after all?

What follows is a list of fragrances and the ailments they have been
reputed to
affect. I have tried to use only the herbs, plants and seeds you can
find most
easily in your garden, in the supermarket, and at the corner fruit
stand. Also,
below are some guides that will help with your plans.

An aromatic tea is to be consumed close to the nose, so as to
continuously
inhale the healing aromas while you drink the beverage.

When you use oils for massage, you will need to know the areas of
greatest value
for that massage. We suggest you consult a chart that shows the
accupressure
/acupuncture points, used by the great Chinese practitioners for
centuries of
healing.

A foot soak is reputed to be nearly as beneficial to the body as a
whole-body
soak, since the feet will absorb the medicating herb and propel the
journey
upward into the body of the healing element.

Inhaling is done over a bowl of boiled water in which the herb or its
oil are
floated, while you lean over it with a towel over your head to
simulate a steam
tent.

A compress is either cool or warm, but always damp, with the herb
impregnated
within, and is laid gently upon the area, not rubbed or massaged or
moved about
in any way. For this reason, compresses work quite well for burns,
wounds and
sores. You can burn an herb in many ways.

A purchased herbal incense works well. Or you could place the dried
herb on any
burning incense, or an open fire. Scented candles also provide the
same scent.
Essential oils dropped judiciously upon burning coals will do. You
must only
decide whether you want just the scent in the air, or if the smoke is
what you
feel will benefit. Burning always gives a dry scented air, as opposed
to
steaming, which provides a damp scented air.

LEGEND:

T - Aromatic Tea, also known as Tisane

W - Bathe (Make a tea and add it to your bath

M - Massage with a scented oil

C - Compress, wet, either warm or cool

S - Steam (Best way is with a humidifier)

B - Burn

I - Inhale, either the smoke or the steam, but also the aroma of the
other
methods

F = Foot Soak, with a stronger tea blend than in the bath

SCENT, PRODUCT, HEALTH, CONDITION, AND METHOD OF USE

Alfalfa

Water Retention (T);

Arthritis (T,C,M);

Cholesterol Reduction (T)

Almond

Infant/Child skin care (M,W);

Coughs, Colds (M,I)

Anise

Meditative frame of mind (B,T);

abates nightmares (T,M)

Baby's Breath

Healing frame of mind (B)

Barley

Skin care (W,M)

Basil

Bronchitis, Colds, Internal Cleansing (B,I);

Antiseptic (C)

Depression (M,W);

Fainting (I);

Nervousness, Insomnia (T,B);

Fever (T,M,W,S,C);

Indigestion, Nausea (T,M);

Mental fatigue,Peaceful frame of mind (B,T,M,W);

Hormone Stimulant (M,T,C);

Insect Bites (C,W);

Migraine (B,C,W,T);

Stimulant (T);

Weight Loss, Skin Care (M,W)

Bay

Antiseptic (W)

Decongestant, Colds (S,I,W,T)

Internal Cleansing (B,I)

Hair Loss (M,W)

Cajeput

Antiseptic, Acne (W,S)

Pain Relief, Neuralgia (M,C)

Insecticide, Lung Congestion (B,I)

Caraway

Calm, Healing frame of mind (T,B,M,W)

Catnip

Nervousness, Headache (T)

Hysteria, Insomnia (T,B,M)

Fever, Hives (W)

Stomach Upset, Hiccups (T,I,S)

Cayenne

Fever, Internal Disinfectant (T)

Cedar

Internal cleansing (B)

Lung congestion, Expectorant (B,M,I,W,S)

Digestion (I)

Antiseptic, Astringent, Eczema (W,C)

Sexual Response (M,B)

Sedative (B)

Chamomile

Burns (C)

Depression, Nervous Tension, Calm (T)

Nausea, Fatigue, Insomnia (T,W)

Diarrhea, Indigestion, Menstrual Cramps (T,M)

Eczema, Rheumatism, Arthritis (M,W,C)

Fainting (I)

Fever (C,T,W)

Headache, Migraine (M,I,)

Weight Loss, Cellulite (T,M,W)

Infant skin care, Inflammations (W)

Hemorrhoids (W,C)

Menopause (M,W,T,B,S)

Pain Relief, Neuralgia (C,W,M,T)

Sore or Weak Eyes, Sores, Wounds (W,C,S)

Hysteria, Relaxant, Appetite Stimulant (T,B)

Cinnamon

Healing frame of mind (M)

Bedwetting (B,S)

General Weakness (T)

Spasms, Circulatory Problems (W,F,M,C,T)

Impotence (M,B)

Infections (W)

Citrus

Weight loss, Skin care (W,M,T)

Cloves

Calm (T,B,I)

Muscle Tension, Spasms, Pain Relief (M,W,S,C)

Toothache (T,C)

Insect Repellent (B,C,W)

Stimulant (B,T,M)

Infections, Antiseptic (W)

Nervousness, General Weakness (T,W,S)

Cough, Colds, Gargle (T,W,S,B)

Cocoa

Depression, Calm, Heartache (T)

Coconut

Internal cleansing (M,W,I)

Comfrey

Water retention (T)

Cumin

Peace, Calm (B,I,S)

Cypress

Water retention, Cellulite, Menopause (W,M)

Varicose Veins, Hemorrhoids (W,C)

Coughs, Sinus, Flu, Colds (I,C)

Cramps, Muscle Tension (M)

Wounds, Sores, Cuts, Acne (W,C,M)

Rheumatism, Arthritis, Aches & Pains, Spasms (F,C,M,W,S)

Nervousness (S,B,I)

Deodorant, Astringent (W)

Dandelion

Blood weakness, Water retention (T,W)

Eczema (W)

Dill

Hiccups, Health maintenance (T,I)

Eucalyptus

Asthma, Bronchitis, Cough, Flu (I,C)

Sinus, Migraine (M,W,I)

Burns (C)

Diarrhea, Indigestion, Kidney/Urinary Infection (W,M)

Sore throat, Laryngitis (I,S,C)

Rheumatism, Aches & Pains (M,W,F)

Antiseptic, Wounds (C,W)

Insect Repellant (B,C,W)

Fever (C,M)

Fennel

Colic, Constipation, Cystitis, Flatulence, Indigestion (T,W)

Nausea, Weight loss, Reducing hunger pangs (T,W)

Health maintenance (T)

Fern

Depression (W)

Gardenia

Calm (B,I,M,W,F,S)

Garlic

Asthma, Hypertension (C)

Intestinal Worms (T)

Antiseptic, Antibiotic (W)

Toothache (M,T,C)

Insomnia (T,W)

Coughs, Colds, Congestion (T,M,C,S)

Geranium

Water Retention, Cellulite (M,W)

Insect Repellant (B,C,W)

Varicose Veins, Circulation Problems (W,C)

Astringent, Wounds, Fractures (W)

Burns (C)

Neuralgia, Pain Relief (M,W,F,C)

Hormone Stimulation (M,B)

Fatigue, Exhaustion (M,W,F)

Ginger

Health Maintenance (T)

Menstruation (T,C)

Hyacinth

Depression, Heartache, Grief (I,B,M)

the Pain of Childbirth (I,S,M)

Hyssop

Asthma, Bronchitis, Colic, Flu (I,S,F,C)

Eczema (W)

Fever (W,C)

Indigestion, Rheumatism (M,W,C)

Jasmine

Good spirits, Peace, Calm (B,S,I)

Meditative frame of mind (I,B,W,T)

Juniper

Water Retention, Hemorrhoids (W,C)

Rheumatism, Gout (C,M,F)

Stimulant, Energizer (W,B)

Antiseptic, Sores, Wounds (W)

Colic, Cough (T,S,I)

Exhaustion, Fatigue (F,M,W)

Kidney/Urinary Infections, Cellulite (M,W)

Constipation (M)

Diarrhea, Flatulence, Indigestion (T,C)

Eczema (W,C,S)

Lavender

Burns, Eczema (W,T,C)

Wounds, Spasms, Acne (C)

Hemorrhoids, Insect Repellant (W,C)

Calm (T)

Sore throat, Nausea, Diarrhea, Nervous tension (T,I,S)

Depression, Headache, Migraine (W,B,T,I)

Hair Loss, Cellulite, Weight Loss, Menopause (M,W)

Rheumatism, Fatigue, Exhaustion (M,W,F)

Fever, Pain Relief (M,C)

Lemon

Rheumatism, Gout (W,F)

Aging Skin, Acne, Antiseptic, Astringent (W)

Insect Repellant (B,C,W)

Water Retention, Gastric Distress (T,I,S)

Lemongrass

Weight loss (T)

Marjoram

Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds (I,S)

Constipation, Indigestion (M,T)

Colic, Headache, Nervous tension, Depression (M,W,T)

Health maintenance (I,B)

Insect Bites (C,W)

Menstrual Cramps (M)

Nutmeg

Meditative frame of mind (T,M,B,I)

Parsley

Rheumatism (M,C,W)

Water Retention (T)

Peppermint

Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds, Flu (T,I,S,W)

Colic, Indigestion, Nausea, Morning Sickness (T,M)

Mental Fatigue, Shock (T,W)

Toothache (W,C)

Fatigue, Weight Loss (T,C)

Headache, Migraine (M,I,W)

Insect Repellant (B,C,W)

Cooling, Fever, Nerves (M,C)

Spasms, Pain Relief (C)

Pine

Sinus, Bronchitis, Flu, Decongestant (I,C)

Hormone Stimulant (M,B)

Fatigue, Aches & Pains, Rheumatism, Gout (B,C,M)

Infection, Antiseptic (W)

Water Retention (I,W)

Rose

Calm, Peace, Depression, Insomnia, Fatigue (T)

Nausea, Heart, Liver, Uterus, Stomach (T)

Weight Loss, Infant skin care (M,W)

Sex Drive/Libido (M,B)

Headache (W,M,I,T,B,S,C)

Astringent (W)

Rosehips

Weight loss, Nervous tension (T)

Rosemary

Depression, Healing frame of mind, Stimulant (T)

Asthma, Colds, Flu, Decongestant (M,W,F)

Constipation, Diarrhea, Cellulite (T,M)

Fainting, Headache (T,M,I)

Rheumatism, Gout, Arthritis, Aches & Pains (M,F)

Weight Loss, Migraine (M,W)

Exhaustion, Fatigue (T,M,W,F)

Hormone Stimulant (M,B)

Sores, Burns (C)

Antiseptic, Skin, Astringent (W)

Fumigant (B)

Heart, Sickliness (T,M,B,I,S)

Sprains, Pain Relief (M)

Saffron

Meditative frame of mind (B,T)

Sage

Asthma, Bronchitis, Cold (T,I,S)

Burns, Eczema (W,C)

Fainting, Low Blood Pressure (T,M,B)

Flatulence, Headache, Indigestion, Diarrhea (T)

Sore throat, Cough (T,I,S,C)

Toothache, Weight loss (T,W)

Menopause, Cellulite, Aches & Pains (T,M,W)

Menstrual Cramps, Nervousness, Hair Loss, Trembling (T,M)

Fatigue (W,M)

Memory, Ability to Learn (B,T)

Spearmint

Depression, Heartache (T)

(Use Spearmint for the same reasons as Peppermint, but Spearmint is
less
powerful and better for children.)

Thyme

Heartache, Depression, Calm (T)

Internal cleansing, Kidney/Urinary Infections (W,M)

Asthma, Bronchitis (I,S)

Fainting, Restore Energy, Renew Spirits (B,I,T)

Rheumatism, Weight loss (M,W,C)

Cellulite, Aches & Pains (W,F,M)

Insect Bites, Antiseptic, Inflammation, Infection (W,C)

Wounds, Sores, Cuts (C)

Constipation, Intestinal Parasites (T,M)

Fatigue (T,B,M)

Spasms, Hair Loss, Digestion (M,W,T)

Turmeric

Peace, Calm (T,B)