Aromatherapy is an ancient art

Aromatherapy is an ancient art using the essences of herbs, plants, flowers, roots, grasses and barks to enhance the body, mind and spirit and has been practiced for centuries. It dates back over 5,000 years, emerging in Egypt, being the birthplace of perfumery, medicine and pharmacy. The essence is extracted, captured, and considered, by some, to be the soul of the plant. It carries with it all of its secrets and its life force, its powers, and its energy. Each oil has its own fragrance and personality. No two are alike. Essential oils are revered for their fragrance and their restorative effects on the body, mind and spirit.

There are passages in the Bible that refer to uses of plants and oils used in prayer, healing, cleansing and in religious ceremonies.

And the Lord said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy:”And the incense which you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves: it shall be for you holy to the Lord.”

Many references are included in the Bible referring to the use of aromatics for purification. Myrrh was used in the purification of Jewish women, and was worn around the neck as a deodorant and antiseptic while crossing the desert. Other references are found in the Song of Solomon, the birth of Christ, his anointment as King, and in his healing ministry.

In Matthew 26:7, A woman came to Jesus with an alabaster flask containing a fragrant oil and poured it on his head as he sat at the table. Frankincense and Myrrh were presented to the baby Jesus. The continual link between aromatic substances and spirituality underlines the special nature of the plants.

If the first waft of spring evokes a lost love, or a whiff of a Christmas tree, the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves makes you think of the holidays and the family gathers around you. Then you already know the link between the sense of smell and the psyche. A scent can make you feel peaceful and calm or excited and exuberant. Essential oils have valid uses as medicines, as mood creators, as beauty therapy, as perfumes and as room fragrances. These oils can be used to treat common ailments such as cold and flu, as well as offering relief for muscle pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, high blood pressure and many similar conditions. They also have the ability to sharpen the mind, lift depression and calm hyperactivity and are often used in meditation and the sensual arts.

In truth, scents can and do alter your mood and emotions. Use these scents to enhance your moods, memories, dreams and desires. There is wonderment in the values of essential oils.

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