I know a little about some of the health benefits of essential oils, so I was really interested in reviewing a book called The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness (Robert Rose, softcover). As the book mentions, essential oils are described as the “life force” or “essence” of plants and aromatherapy is a method of using essential oils to protect, heal, and beautify our bodies. Often used in massage, essential oils can be used in many other ways to support your health. They are one of nature’s most potent forms of healing–for everything from arthritis to high blood pressure. And in addition to their therapeutic qualities, they can also be used to create natural personal care and home cleaning products that promote a healthier way of life. All in all, this handbook includes more than 450 remedies and uses for essential oils.

The book begins with a helpful introduction to what essential oils are and different ways you can use them. The other 4 sections of the book include:

• Part 1: The Oils (detailed properties of 109 essential oils and their uses)
• Part 2: Remedies (a section filled with recipes for easy-to-make home health remedies using essential oils and other natural ingredients)
• Part 3: Aromatherapy for Daily Living (a section with recipes for skincare, hair care, and body care; also includes recipes you can use to make natural cleaning products for your home–things like air freshener, furniture polish, glass cleaner, and more).
• Part 4: Practicalities (information on equipment you’ll need and how to measure and store essential oils)

I thought I’d try one of the body care recipes–the Rejuvenating Bath Oil Blend. It sounded like the perfect way to pamper myself after a busy week. And since the recipe happens to include some of my favorite essential oils, I had all the ingredients on hand to make this! I think it works best for normal to dry skin; my skin is on the dry side, so this oil blend mixed in the bathwater felt wonderful! The scent of this bath oil is very rejuvenating, and after soaking in it for 30 minutes, I also found it very relaxing!

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REJUVENATING BATH OIL BLEND from The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook

• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) grapeseed or sweet almond oil (I used grapeseed oil)
• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil

Fill tub with warm water. Meanwhile, in a small non-reactive bowl, combine grapeseed oil and lavender, rosemary and peppermint essential oils (I used a very small glass jar for mixing my ingredients-see photo above). Stir well. Add to tub and agitate to thoroughly disperse oils, then soak for 30 minutes, massaging any floating droplets of oil into your skin.

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This really is a rejuvenating bath and the scent of all these oils blended together is wonderful! Do you use essential oils often?