Peppermint (Mentha piperita) belongs to a genus consisting of some 20 varieties and hybrids, all containing essential oils in their stems and leaves. Native to the Mediterranean and Western Asia, mint is now grown in temperate regions all over the world with the United States being one of the largest producers. Amongst the many types of mint cultivated, peppermint is the most commercially and medicinally…

Of all the essential oils used in clinical aromatherapy, lavender is undoubtedly the most versatile, having a wide range of properties from analgesic to antiseptic. The name Lavender, derived from the Latin word lavare, meaning to wash, was the aromatic of choice by the Romans to scent their bathwater. Without doubt, if you had to choose a single essential oil to keep in your first…

Meditation, Stillness and Tranquil Contemplation The range of human emotions that we experience has never changed, only times and circumstances do. The way we respond to stress, chaos and hectic lifestyles and the resultant outcomes such as depression, fear and confusion have always been there over the centuries. The purpose of both frankincense and sandalwood oil is to bring us back to center and return…

Bergamot oil, like those of orange, lemon and grapefruit is obtained from the cold expression of the rind of a citrus fruit. The rather small Bergamot fruits that look like tiny oranges are picked for distillation while still unripe and green. The smell of Bergamot is not unlike orange and lemon being light, delicate and refreshing with a slight floral overtone. For those of you…