Aromatherapy - Paisley Pumpkin Farms Nursery, Colmesneil, Tx 75938

Introduction to Aromatherapy

Whether you’re a novice, an intermediate student, or a practiced aromatherapist, you will appreciate that the relationship we have with trees, flowers, herbs and plants can reveal itself to us in the most unexpected and spectacular ways. Of course, our first real appreciation for this relationship comes when we see the majesty of a Giant Redwood, or the exquisite beauty of a rare Orchid, or the lush variety of greenery in a forest, jungle, or even an arboretum. In our nursery here at Paisley Pumpkin Farms, I have watched as a small seed or seedling blossoms into a beautiful flower or plant and been amazed at the wonder of it all. I have touched the petals of a delicate rose and been moved by its velvety texture and pure beauty. I have bit into the fruit of a home-grown peach and tasted the exquisite sweetness on my tongue. I have heard the awesome groan and deep creak of a huge pine fall in the woods.

But there is no sense that touches me so deeply as the sense of smell. I have been gifted with a fairly acute olfactory ability. So a natural gravitation toward the art and science of Aromatherapy was “in the cards” for me. I fell in love with plant and flower essences when I took a simple beginner’s aromatherapy class and smelled the fragrance of pure essential oils for the first time almost twenty years ago.

IMPORTANT: You don’t have to be an expert practitioner in Aromatherapy to enjoy the benefits that come from the use of plant and flower essences (essential oils). But, you do need to know some basic do's and don'ts when using them. Essential Oils are highly potent and extremely concentrated plant material and should be used by the drop, with great care, and always diluted. Skin test oils before using and check labels carefully. If redness or irritation occurs, do not use. If your interest in the subject leads you to explore this field further, many hundreds, if not thousands of books have been written on the subject by highly-qualified people, and you would do well to reference them. Our information here is basic and designed to pique the interest of the beginner enthusiast in the art of aromatherapy.

Some good guidelines and general cautions to follow for the beginner using essential oils are:

1. As a rule, they should not be used during pregnancy, especially those that are emmenagogic (estrogen stimulants) or stimulatory in general, as they may trigger menstrual bleeding, thereby endangering the fetus.

2. Babies and children may be sensitive to these essences and if used, diluted at quarter the adult strength and diluted again before adding to a bath. Keep oils out of children's reach and lids tightly closed. Always supervise children when essential oils are in use.

3. Avoid getting essential oils in the eye, as this can cause serious and permanent damage. If it should happen, wash the eye with water and call a physician immediately. Also, avoid contact with ears and mucous membranes.

4. When using hot water inhalations, use only for a short time keeping your eyes closed.

5. Never use more than 10 drops of essential oils in the bath and never use higher than a 2.5% dilution of essence (1% if skin is very sensitive).

6. Never give or take essences orally (by mouth) or use in cooking.

7. Aromatherapy does not replace your medical practitioner. If suffering from any medical condition or taking medication, consult a physician before using essential oils.

Now that you have the safety guidelines firmly in mind, let's kick back and get started.