Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health concerns of our time (see my blog on anxiety and depression). The essential...

Black seed ( Nigella sativa ) oil is a health supplement and is also used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy. It is not an essential oil (though I have seen black seed essential oil advertised) but is a fixed oil; it does not evaporate like the aromatic essential oiIs. It has been used in Mediterranean and Arabic cultures for centuries as food and medicine. It is known as black cumin, black caraway, onion seed or coriander seed, though it is not actually related to any of thes

The rise in popularity of aromatherapy has gained the attention of many essential oil producers. Getting them out to the public is one...

Ayurveda, which translates to "science of life," is an ancient Indian medical system that takes a holistic, preventative approach to...

Herpes zoster or shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox.  This virus (varicella-zoster virus or...

René-Maurice Gattefossé The story of René-Maurice Gattefossé begins in 1881 in Lyon, France. He was the third child of five siblings and...

Petroleum jelly and other petroleum-based products have been staples in bathroom medicine cabinets for years. They are used in many...

Castor oil ( Ricinus communis ) is used as a carrier oil rather than an essential oil and has been utilized for its health benefits for...

As aromatherapy grows in popularity, it is important to know how to use them effectively and safely. Essential oils are highly...

As we age, our circulatory system may not function as efficiently as it did in our younger years. Consequently, some individuals may...

Disease-causing pathogens are mutating in ways that make them immune to current prescription medications. The Centers for Disease...

Lavender essential oils come from several different plant species.  They are similar to each other but have different chemical...

Neurodegenerative diseases are diseases of the nervous system. These include: dementia-type diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease,...

There are two main routes of getting essential oils into the body. The first is topical application. Usually, though not always, this...

Beat the cold weather with this bath salts recipe. This would be a good bath if you had a cold, flu, sore muscles, or achy joints. Or if...

Sweet orange ( Citrus sinensis ) is a hybrid citrus tree that originates from China.  Its cultivation travelled to Malaysia, then India...

Flu season is upon us again.  I have written about this in an earlier blog post, “Staying Well in Flu Season.”  It is becoming more...

Historically, aromatherapy has been regarded as an informal aspect of popular health, characterized by a lack of scientific understanding...

Numerous essential and carrier oils are effective in maintaining the health of your hair and scalp by providing moisture and eliminating...

Essential oils are extracted using various methods, each of which can influence the oil's constituents and chemistry. The majority of...