The first recorded use of aromatic plants as food flavors was during the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE)The tradition and love for flavoring our foods has advanced with civilization. In accordance with this evolution of our human palate essential oils with GRAS status have been used by the food industry for many, many years as food flavoring agents. We are beginning to see the use of essential oils as food flavoring agents emerging in fine culinary institutes and restaurants. For those who love adding a unique element of spice and flavor to dishes that's never before been experienced essential oils can truly delight. Now you can make your own unique and exquisite creations to share with your family and friends. Aromatherapy...

Like medicine with its areas of specialization aromatherapy, too, is becoming known for different areas of practice and specialization.Here are just a few areas of aromatherapy specialization currently practiced. Cosmetic and Spa Aromatherapy These are therapies that use essential oils for the skin, body, face and hair. This area of the aromatherapy industry is seeing incredible growth with the development of many cosmetic and spa products. These products are developed and used for a wide variety of beauty and wellness effects such as cleansing, toning and moisturizing. An especial area of focus in the cosmetic and spa branch of aromatherapy is healthy skin. Aromatic oils have been used since ancient times for beautification and healing. The Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, who...

Aroma therapy has been used since the earliest days of man on planet earth. The earliest aromatherapists were probably the tribal shamans who used plant aromatics to heal the sick of their tribe. Evidence of this can be seen in the drawings found on the walls of caves depicting plant aromatics being used to heal the sick. From the drawings it looks as though plant aromatics were used in many, if not all, of man’s most important ritual celebrations like birth, puberty, marriage and death. I believe that this early subconscious memory of 'healing with plants' is one of the primary reasons that aromatherapy is gaining global popularity at such a rapid pace today. It is because of the powerful...

What’s Trending in Health - Signs of TransformationI was really surprised to see that one of the leading trends in healthcare cited in Stanford’s Health Trends Report was,“Encouraging patients to take an active role in their own care and to adopt healthier lifestyles.”Is this a sign of things to come? Is the growing DIY revolution possibly taking root in the traditional medical model of healthcare? In my own clinical practice the response and recovery rate of my clients is significantly higher, at 80% or more, for those who are actively engaged in their own care. Can a patient’s “active role” in care be seen as a major turning point for our drug driven traditional model of healthcare in the US?...

If you are formulating something that contains fluids like water, milk, and even hydrosols, you will have to preserve the product in some way, or store it in the refrigerator and use within 3-4 days.So what “natural” preservatives can you use to extend the life of your homemade product?Natural product manufacturers have used essential oils to preserve their products and so can you.Many studies have demonstrated essential oils to have both antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.The percentage of essential oil required to adequately protect a product from microbial growth and oxidation usually exceeds the recommendations for safe amounts of essential oils to use in skin care products. However, high concentration of essential oil can be used in aromatic room sprays.  If...