Written by Timothy Miller ND

Essential oils and aromatic plants are far from a new thing! The use of aromatic plants can be dated back to ancient times with the Egyptian civilization. Their use began almost exclusively as part of religious and cultural traditions. However, in the advent of the 20th century, the use of aromatic plants and their extracted oil (called an essential oil) as medicine became known.

Essential oils are 20-70 times more potent than their whole plant counterpart. That means that the essential oil of Rosemary, for instance, is 20-70 times more concentrated and powerful than Rosemary leaves/flowers themselves! Super impressive, right?! That is why essential oils should be diluted for topical applications, otherwise they could irritate the skin. This is also why they should not be taken internally without medical supervision.

In countries like France and the United Kingdom, essential oils are used in what’s called “medical aromatherapy.” Practitioners will use essential oils as medicine. In the United States, things haven’t quite yet caught up to speed. More often than not, practitioners will use essential oils as part of a massage or air diffuser to support relaxation. We haven’t been using them for all that they’re capable of.

In spite of how essential oils are used in the United States, their health properties are noteworthy. Essential oils have traditionally been used for cuts, burns, muscle spasms, skin infections, insomnia, stress, headaches, nausea, pain, inflammation, amongst other concerns. Essential oils can also be used energetically to balance the chakras and stimulate acupuncture points.

Studies are showing tea tree oil as an effective agent in killing staph/MRSA infections, peppermint oil in killing herpes simplex virus, and rose geranium oil in killing the trichophyton fungus (responsible for causing toe nail fungus).

Essential oils are forces to be recognized. Their incredible therapeutic properties are only beginning to be understood in this country. Moving forward, only more time and energy will be invested in them and more research conducted. They are nature’s gift that just keeps on giving.

How to make your own natural herbal infused oil in a few easy steps
Shared by Martina Protze

Make your own oils from scratch. Once made, these oils are suitable for a range of uses, they can be burned in a candle oil burner to add fragrance to the air, excellent to use at your altar instead of incense, use it to anoint candles for candle magic, add to baths for for spell work purification and for silky and heavenly soaks, make it into perfume, use for a variety of skin conditions, use it as massage oil or even just a delicious cooking oil or salad dressing.

See below for instructions.

Olive, almond, sunflower or coconut oil work best.

1. Find a large, clear, clean glass jar or bottle with a tight lid.

2. Pack fresh, clean, whole herbs loosely into the jar, use any herbs you like or a mixture, you can experiment with smells and tastes or if you need a specific one for a spell or potion only use that.

3. Cover the herbs with oil. High quality olive oil is best, but any good quality vegetable oil will work.

4. Put the lid on as tightly as you can, and set the jar on a sunny windowsill - this is best done in the summertime, but can be done in winter if you have a window that gets maximum amount of light, even in winter.

5. Leave the jar on the windowsill for 30 days, shaking it gently once a day.

6. Find another large, clear, clean glass jar or bottle with a tight lid, a large funnel, and some cheesecloth. Pack the cheesecloth fairly tightly in the funnel. Set the funnel in the empty jar, and wrap some cheese cloth around where the mouth of the jar meets the funnel, to prevent spillage. You can also use a fine sieve but it won't work as good.

7. Slowly pour the oil into the clean jar through the funnel. The cheesecloth will strain the herbs, letting the oil filter into the jar.

• This does not make essential oil. Essential oils are the herbs compressed to make oil.
  
• This makes diluted oil. There is no need to further dilute this oil.
• Experiment with mixes. Fill the jar with a mix of chamomile, vanilla and lavender to ensure pleasant sleep. Mix vanilla and cinnamon to fill your kitchen with cooking scents.

• Lavender is soothing, cinnamon invigorating, mint fresh. White willow bark has a spicy smell, sage is used by Native Americans for cleansing, chamomile is used to soothe and help sleep. Do some research about your favorite scents, and see what you can find.

• In the Autumn try using rosemary which also has astringent and healing properties as well.
  
• In the summer pick or purchase mint to make a refreshing oil
  
• White willow bark (or any kind of bark or nuts or roots) may need to be soaked in water first, left in the oil longer, and/or used as freshly as possible.
  
•  Some herbs can be used dried, like cinnamon, but for the most part, dried herbs lose their essential oils, so best to use fresh.
  
•  Store oil in a cool, dark place, and smell it occasionally. If it smells rancid, don't use it.
  

Source: Wicca Teachings

Organic Gum Acacia
- relieve symptoms of diarrhea 
- bulk up bowel movements and improve electrolyte absorption 
- used as an emulsifier 

Dandelion
- laxative and diuretic qualities
- rheumatoid arthritis 
- liver-cleansing product
- stimulates bile production
- supports the immune system

Organic Milk Thistle
- cleanses liver and gallbladder

Black Walnut
- anti-bacterial growth in GI
- anti-inflammatory
- reduce the lifespan of harmful bacteria.

Wormwood
- aid with digestion
- anti parasitic

Cilantro
- rids body of dangerous toxic metals 

Alfalfa 
- stomach ulcers
- stimulate a healthy appetite

Peppermint
- helps cough associated with colds and flu
- helps with sore throats and sinus inflammation
- aids the body in fighting off bacteria
- lung cleansing 

Eucalyptus
- lung cleansing
- helps fight bacteria, and attacks viruses
- topical ointment for chest and nasal congestion 
- calming, soothing properties

Stinging Nettle
- works against microorganisms
- antioxidant 
- anti inflammatory 
- reduces blood pressure

Source: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/top-10-detox-herbs/