Restore, Refresh and Energize with Aromatherapy

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to promote the health and well-being of your body, mind and emotions. Pure essential oils are different from the herbal liquid extracts you may take internally. Essential oils are the volatile and aromatic oils of a plant that evaporate readily when exposed to air. Often times many pounds, even tons, of plant material are needed to produce a very small amount. It is through these concentrated oils that plants themselves communicate with the outside world in order to attract pollinators, ward off predators and disease and to communicate with one another. These powerful aromas affect humans in a similar fashion and their uses range from aphrodisiacs to stress relief and first aid to name just a few. Come, explore our vast aromatherapy section at the Wedge and open yourself to the world of aromatherapy.

Essential Oils in Personal Care Products

Adding essential oils to body and facial care products serves multiple purposes.

First, essential oils are made up of natural chemical compounds that protect the plant from external environmental stresses and help the plant to heal from internal sickness. When we use essential oils in our skincare, these compounds can have similar healthful effects on our skin. Also, essential oils like rosemary, lemon and lavender are natural preservatives to help keep skincare products fresh for longer.

Essential Oil Vendors at the Wedge

Wyndmere- Wyndmere bottles and distributes pure essential oils in Minnetonka.

Simplers- based in Sebastopol, CA, Simplers offers many certified organic essential oils.

Veriditas- locally-owned, all of the Veriditas essential oils are certified organic by ECOCERT.

Aura Cacia- based in Iowa, Aura Cacia makes pure essential oils and select organic oils.

Ten Basic Essential Oils

Here is list of some basic oils to have handy as they have a wide variety of uses in aromatherapy. They can be used on their own or in blends. These 10 oils will help get you started with many of the oil combinations listed below.

• Lavender
• Chamomile
• Marjoram
• Rosemary
• Tea Tree
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Bergamot
• Geranium
• Lemon

Blends for Emotional Well-Being

Use the following blends in your diffuser to enhance positive emotions and bring warmth to your home. If you don't have a diffuser you can dilute the essential oil blends in carrier oils like jojoba or almond and apply this mixture to your skin like a perfume. These oil blends can have a positive influence on your mental state by helping to restore equilibrium and balance in your life. While making your blends, smell the mixture as you add each drop to see how it changes the aroma. Feel free to alter the proportions to suit your own nose. Try it; your mind and body will thank you.

Joyous

• 20 drops bergamot oil
• 20 drops spruce oil
• 5 drops peppermint oil

Calming

• 18 drops lavender oil
• 15 drops rosewood oil
• 12 drops chamomile oil
• 12 drops geranium oil
• 10 drops clary sage oil
• 10 drops ylang ylang oil

Afternoon Glow

• 4 drops orange
• 2 drops geranium
• 3 drops lavender
• 4 drops sandalwood

Positive Energy

• 2 drops black pepper
• 6 drops lemon
• 3 drops rosemary
• 1 drop peppermint