No not that bottle! I’m sure after my last post on organic wines you might think that’s the bottle I’m referring to (alas – all in moderation), but I’m talking about aromatherapy and essential oils. I promised I’d keep passing on to you stress reducing tips and ways to stay balanced in our ever changing, hectic lives. Using essential oils is a vital part of my every day holistic health. I pretty much grab some form of essential oil when I’m not quite feeling myself. My must-have, favorite oils are lavender, tea tree, geranium, eucalyptus, and sandalwood. These 5 are always in the house and travel with me as well. Lavender is just a great overall soother: soothes headaches, frayed nerves, even nausea. It’s also oil you can use “neat” meaning straight – it doesn’t have to be diluted with carrier oil. Tea tree is THE antibacterial oil. This oil is great on cuts, ingrown hairs, and athlete’s foot. Tea tree is also really inexpensive. Geranium is one of the rare oils that’s an upper and a downer! If you’re feeling lethargic – 20-40 drops of geranium in a lukewarm bath will perk you up; 6-7 drops of geranium in a diffuser helps you sleep. Eucalyptus is essential in the winter months. Have sinus issues? Eucalyptus needs to be your mainstay.  Steam with it.  Finally, sandalwood is highly beneficial for enhancing meditation, in healing work or in your yogic practice. I found this really interesting kit: Twelve Essential Oils of the Ancient Scriptures – and sandalwood is one of them. My favorite site for essential oils is definitely Young Living Essential Oils – organic and they make amazing blends. http://www.youngliving.us/  To learn more about essential oils in general, I love Aromaweb’s site: http://www.aromaweb.com/

If you’ve got some favored essential oils you swear by, let me know.

Namaste,

Michelle