“Often referred to as the ‘life force’ of plants, essential oils aid the body in healing itself naturally.”

There are many excellent books on the uses of essential oils and rightly so. These powerhouses of active ingredients will, when used correctly, give great pleasure and open up a whole world of natural healing possibilities for everyday complaints. They are valued for their effects on both a physical and emotional level as well as their anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal actions.

Using high quality organic oils is vital for achieving positive results and buying the best you can afford should be considered a sound investment. Their purity and strength mean that a little goes a long way and if stored correctly in a cool dark place they will retain their therapeutic properties for a considerable time. They should not be used neat directly on the skin, nor taken internally, and contact with sensitive areas such as the eyes and mucus membranes must be avoided. Further caution is necessary when using oils for young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, epileptics and anyone planning to go out in the sun or use a sunbed. Professional advice should be sought for anyone who falls into these categories.

Essential oils can be diluted in a carrier/ base oil (see glossary) for use on the skin, added to baths, used in steam inhalations or diffused into the atmosphere to fragrance your home. Research has shown that natural aromas can have a profound effect on emotional and physiological health whilst synthetic air fresheners have been linked to cases of diarrhoea and ear ache in young children and depression in their mothers. Is this just another example of nature knowing best?