The Healing Power of Plants: Plant Therapy Essential Oils

Part One of A Four Part Series with 3 GIVEAWAYS!

   As I hear more and more about all of the toxic chemicals found in commercial household cleansing and bath and beauty products, I have become more interested in using all natural products.  And although many companies are now making more ‘green’ or ‘all natural’ products, the majority are quite pricey and hard to afford for someone on a tight budget.  So my solution has been to start learning how to make my own household cleansers, bath products, beauty products and more.  Essential oils not only add scent to these recipes, they also contribute their own cleansing and healing properties.

   If you are not familiar with Essential Oils, they are basically the highly-concentrated, aromatic liquids derived from plants and flowers that are vital to the plants ability to grow, live, evolve, adapt and to defend itself from pests, disease and harsh environmental conditions.  They are known to be the essence of the plant, hence the name…essential oil.
   The oils are extracted by different methods, including steam distillation, cold pressed and others.  They are used in perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, food and drink flavoring, and for adding scents to incense and household cleaning products.  Essential oils are popular not only for their aroma therapeutic properties, but also for their healing, medicinal and cleansing properties.   Different oils serve different purposes.

   Essential Oils can be purchased at many health food stores and alternative health retailers, as well as on the internet, but you need to be sure that what you are getting are 100% pure, not diluted, and that you don’t get them confused with fragrance oils.
  I recently came across a wonderful site for all things having to do with Essential Oils;  one that was kind enough to send some of their oils for review, Plant Therapy.  Plant Therapy carries every type of Essential Oil you could want, as well as anything having to do with the oils such as diffusers, books, cases, empty bottles and so much more.  All of their oils are 100% pure and natural, free from any chemicals or pesticides, undiluted and are therapeutic grade.
   
   I was given the opportunity to select the oils I wanted, and since I had some specific recipes I wanted to make, I chose Lavender (my absolute favorite scent in the world!), Sweet Orange, Lemon and Tea Tree Oil. 
Lavender Oil (Lavandula officinalis)
-known for its strong floral scent, and its therapeutic properties including an analgesic, anticonvulsant, anti-depressant, anti-microbial, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-toxic, diuretic, deodorant, hypotensive, insecticide, parasitical, sedative, stimulant and many more. You can apply a few drops to minor burns;  put a few drops on a cotton ball next to your bed for a good nights sleep;  diffuse it into the air to calm your mind, body and spirit after a stressful day.

Sweet Orange Oil (Citrus sinensis)
-it has a medium-strength fresh, sweet citrus scent.  Know for its therapeutic properties such as antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, deodorant, digestive, stimulant (nervous) and tonic (cardiac, circulatory).  It can be applied to combat colds, constipation, dull skin, flatulence, the flu, gums, slow digestion, and relieve stress.

Lemon Oil (Citrus limonum)
-it has a strong, fresh, citrus scent, and is known to be a great cleanser, also known to have antiseptic properties as well as having cooling and refreshing qualities. Studies have shown it helps concentration, and it can also be used to treat cuts and boils.

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
-it has a medium-strength, fresh, camphoraceous scent, and is best known for its antimicrobial properties.  It contains the compound Terpenin-4-ol which is thought to combat all three types of infectious organisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses).  It can be used to fight dandruff, acne, athletes foot, lice, eczema and psoriasis.  Tea Tree oil can be found in creams, ointments, lotions, soaps and shampoos.

   I found all of these oils to be exactly what I needed for my three favorite recipes!  Each oil came in a dark, glass bottle in order to preserve the integrity of the oil.  The bottles were each 1/3 fl. oz. (10 ml).
   All of these oils, plus many more can be purchased directly through Plant Therapy at http://planttherapy.com.    Prices vary depending on the oil you want, and all order in the US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) will ship for free!   They do ship to Alaska, Hawaii and outside the US, but rates will vary.
   Be sure to check out the next three posts in this series as I will show you three of my favorite recipes using the above oils (an all-purpose cleaner, fabric softener and air freshener).  And, thanks to the generosity of Plant Therapy, one person per recipe will win all 4 oils so they can try the recipes (and many other recipes) for themselves!  That means there will be one winner per post (recipe) for a total of three (3) winners!  So be sure to keep reading for the next posts in the series of Plant Therapy posts!!
   Be sure to visit the Plant Therapy website for great tips, recipes, deals, promotions, and ‘like’ them on Facebook for giveaways and more!


I received this product for free for the purpose of review.  Regardless, all opinions are my own.