Definitely not. Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, as far back as the 4th Century BC said “The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.” He believed that burning certain aromatic substances gave protection against contagious diseases. Today, it is well known that essential oils have the following properties:

Antimicrobial - destroys micro-organisms which cause disease
Antiseptic - destroys and prevents the development of microbes which are minute living organisms, especially           pathogenic (disease producing) bacteria, viruses etc.
Antiviral
Bactericidal - destroys bacteria (a type of microbe or organism)

Essential Oils were very much part of the lives of Ancient Egyptians. They used Cedar wood oil and other essential oils in the mummification process. Bandages were soaked in essential oils to embalm the bodies of the dead. Slight aromas can still be smelled on these mummies today. It was first used by priests, then physicians and surgeons. Wealthy women used it quite extravagantly, bathing in it and using it for perfumes on their body after bathing and also in their hair. They used it in cosmetics and used it as an insect repellent on papyrus leaves.

Aromatherapy means encouragement of good health through fragrance. Aromatherapy involves the use of plants in a different way to the way we use herbs. Essential Oil is extracted from the plant. The most common way of obtaining essential oils from aromatic plants is by the Distillation method. Steam is passed through a still packed with plant material. The plant material can be the root, leaves, flowers, resin, bark or peel such as lemon. The steam is then passed into a condensor which contains both oil and water. The oil is removed from the top and the remaining water is called flower water e.g. Rosewater.

Some plants yield great amounts of Essential Oil. These oils are not expensive to buy. Others, such as Rose, require huge amounts of Rose petals to produce just a little Essential Oil. The quantity of plant material needed and the number of stages the plant goes through to obtain the essential oil determines the cost of the essential oil. Rub some Basil between the fingers of your one hand, and rub a few rose petals or Jasmine flowers between the fingers of the other hand. You’ll understand why the Rose and Jasmine essential oil is so expensive!

When working with herbs, it is common practice to use a number of herbs to create a specific remedy which may be used in a tincture or tea. The herbs have a synergetic effect upon one another – the therapeutic potential of a single herb is enhanced by the chemical combination with other plant material. The same applies to Essential Oils. They certainly can be used individually but often work better in a synergy, which is a blend of different Essential Oils, as some enhance the other ingredients, making them even more effective.

Essential Oils can be used therapeutically in our everyday lives by adding them to the Vaporizer, ceramic burner rings or the bath. They can be massaged into the skin after diluting them in a carrier oil such as grapeseed. Certain essential oils such as tea tree and lavender can be applied undiluted to the skin in certain cases such as insect bites, but dilution with a carrier oil is recommended. They can be added to creams to assist with certain skin conditions and a few drops added to a bowl of boiling water will act as an inhaler – allow the water to cool slightly, or the oils will be too strong. They can also be used on compresses which are placed directly onto the skin.

They can be made into room sprays either to simply freshen a room or to kill bacterial infections such as flu. Certain essential oils affect the Respiratory System when they are inhaled because they contain antispasmodic, expectorant and antiseptic properties which benefit sufferers of ashthma, bronchitis, flu and hay fever.

Certain Essential Oils benefit the Muscular System as they are easily absorbed by the skin into the bloodstream. Application of these oils assist in removing toxins via the tissues, relieve inflammation and reduce swelling, in so doing help with sprains, cramp, arthritis, rheumatism and stiffness.

DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN (As with all Medicines)
KEEP AWAY FROM EYES

AVOID USE DURING PREGNANCY
All of the Essential Harmony Products contain the Warning Avoid use during Pregnancy. This is because certain Essential Oils are actually known to be Emmenagogic, although they do not necessarily lead to them being abortifacient. Certain Essential Oils are considered to be safe at certain stages of Pregnancy, but it is absolutely necessary to consult a qualified Aromatherapist before using any Essential Oils when pregnant.

DO NOT USE UNDILUTED ON SKIN.
Essential Harmony Products contain Essential Oils and have been diluted in Carrier Oils such as Sweet Almond or Grapeseed Oil for ease of use. However, the Vaporizer Oil is a pure, Undiluted Essential Oil and extreme Caution must be used when using these products. Always follow the directions given with each product.

STORE IN A COOL, DARK PLACE.
Remember that Essential Oils are Flammable.