Aromatherapy has become a well used term that, in its true essence, would be defined as: The use of pure, therapeutic grade essential oils to facilitate the health of body, mind and spirit, creating balance. As a holistic therapy which has ancient roots and can be dated as far back as 5000 years ago, aromatherapy as a healing modality is the use of non-synthetic extracts of plant material which, quite apparently, contain the molecules of aroma. This could be seen as the added benefit as these extracts, essential oils, are potent healers. Their chemical make up is as diverse as mother-nature and have many applications on every level of wellness from prevention to the regaining of health on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Many advanced civilizations such as Egypt, China, India and Greece acquired great knowledge of aromatic materials and their benefits. Therapy by plants was used extensively in medicine, pharmacy, beauty products, massage, and in spiritual or sacred rituals, bringing the life force of earth to maintain, encourage and create balance and wellness. Essential oils permeated every aspect of daily life in the ancient world and upon its resurgence in the 20th century, has become the treatment of choice in the holistic remedy realm. Why Aromatherapy? It is an all encompassing treatment which incorporates the senses of touch and smell while utilizing the elements that are congruent with the organic chemistry of the body. The non-synthetic chemistry of the essential oils interacts with our own chemistry. This allows the body to regain its balance without adding foreign synthetics which might increase the amount of toxins the body is already processing in its ongoing efforts to maintain *homeostasis (the body is always seeking to maintain a *balanced state of health). Additionally, there are many oils which can be used to increase comfort, boost immunity, assist in elimination, balance emotions, and encourage healing when other chemically based treatments are a necessity. The pleasurable scents of the oils works to relieve stress, comfort the mind and balance emotions. Add in the soothing touch of massage and hot, muscle relaxing baths, which are regular recommendations in an aromatherapy treatment, and it is evident why we would choose this powerful modality of healing and self care. We are always in line with living in wellness when nurturing is an aspect of our lives, and the state of our health reflects our commitment to this. Consciousness, Healing and Essential Oils Science informs us that most of the population uses less than 10% of their brain’s capacity. An exciting fact which makes me wonder, ‘What could utilizing this untapped potential actualize in my life and what tools can assist me in using more of myself?’ Is there a natural way to tap into this vast resource and use more of ourselves in an efficient, creative and productive way? The study of aromatherapy has led some to believe that it is a capable mentor and assistant to this process of evolution. Surely if we are to evolve we must have a change of consciousness. Einstein says, ‘You can’t solve a problem with the same consciousness that created it’. Utilizing essential oils in this way allows us to frame new perspectives on familiar situations by reducing stress, stimulating neurochemicals, opening our emotional brain and creating sacred space within our body-mind systems. Physical Healing and Essential Oils On a purely physical level, essential oils exert their influence through their unique and individual chemical properties, in synergy, as a complete and complex extract of the plants they come from (thus the importance of quality as essential oils must be extracted at particular temperatures and time frames to release their desired constituents – see Essential Oils). They act on our physiological bodies via the nervous system, endocrine system and directly on organs or tissues. The route taken to physical influence can be either via direct route physiologically or via the sense of smell through the psychological or mental route to the physical, otherwise known as body-mind effect or altering the physical through the mental. Energy, Emotion and Essential Oils “The highest form of medicine is love” Paracelsus Aromatherapy , as a holistic therapy, nurtures the human on the level of body, mind and spirit. A great deal of research has been done on essential oils and their physical characteristics. Psychological research is catching up at great speed. Spiritual aromatherapy, often being an intangible form, is more difficult to study and apply. We are psychologically and spiritually complex and the oils respond in kind, especially, it seems, on these levels. However, it can be one of the most intriguing and efficient forms of working with the oils. Addressing care of the psyche and spirit can often eliminate the need for symptoms - our body talking to us - to manifest themselves on a physical level. What is the basis of this subtle technique? Energy is the underlying substance of the universe and creates all dense matter as we know it. The building blocks are atoms and molecules spinning at intense velocities so as to appear solid. It is an incredibly convincing system. However, our true nature is something vastly different than what is apparent to the naked eye. We are powerhouses of energy, storing in each gram of undifferentiated matter, 25,000,000 kWh of energy. This figure is derived from the famous Hasenohrl-Einstein equation E=mc2. Science is unaware of how to unlock this enormous and seemingly disproportionate amount of energy due to its lack of research into natural energetic processes. In spiritual blending, subtlety is emphasized. Choose oils that evoke the positive aspect of the qualities or wellness that you are seeking, blending at a ratio of 1-1 ½ % essential oil(s) in a vegetable oil, lotion or gel base for applications to the skin and using only 1 or 2 drops in a diffuser, 1-3 drops in a bath, etc. As in all aspects of holism, intention in use and blending contributes to the higher vibration of the remedy; the highest vibration is love.