Typically, most people think of essential oils and immediately think of Aromatherapy. They imagine gorgeous scents that help them to relax, sleep or conjure up visions of happiness and tranquility. And, yes, it can do that! It is just one of the many things I love about the oils.
The nose is an amazing organ where just a scent can activate the olfactory system. It can trigger great memories and feelings.
I spent many years buying the candles scented with Vanilla or Christmas cookies or spring flowers. And they were nice, don't get me wrong. My mother once burned this lovely candle in the house and the bird she had sitting near it fell over dead. Why? Birds are very sensitive when it comes to respiratory issues. This candle was labelled all natural and was actually a bundle of chemicals manufactured to smell great.
An article in How Stuff Works reports, "Indoor air pollution, the degradation of indoor air quality by harmful chemicals and other materials, can be up to 10 times worse than outdoor air pollution [source: Dunn]. This is because contained areas enable potential pollutants to build up more than open spaces do. "
Not just candles can increase this pollution, the Teflon cookware you use daily, the stuffing in your sofa, pesitcides you use in the garden all get trapped under your very energy efficiently sealed home.
This type of pollution can lead to a toxic build up in your body leading to headaches, allergies, asthma and even worse. It all depends on the toxins you are exposed to daily.
There are many simple ways to help improve the air quality of your home. During nice weather, open the windows. It can really blow out the junk including cold and flu viruses! If you live in a high humidity area like I do, make sure to keep your levels inside 30-50% and use good air filters in your HVAC systems.
"But I want that great smell of fresh flowers I got for my candle, how do I get that?"
Diffusing essential oils! That's how.
If you don't have a diffuser, I highly reccommend one. Anywhere you are allowed to use air freshener or candles, you should be allowed to use a diffuser. Chemical free fabulousness!
Citrus oils are a great economical option and used in many hosptials including Vanderbilt ER. They are expanding the use throughout their healthcare network and patients are loving it. Citrus oils are a great disinfectant and anti-depressant.
Other great oils to improve air quality would be OnGuard, Breathe & Frankincense.
Some combos that smell great:
OnGuard & Lime
Cassia & Citrus Bliss
Frankincense & OnGuard
Breathe & Lime.
Your house will smell fantastic and you can get the health benefits for cleaner air as well as the health benefits from the oils themselves.
Since it is Spring, I am loving combining my floral oils together. A little bit of heaven is the combination of Lavender, Geranium and Jasmine. I earned Jasmine last year and hope to again this year. It is truly a precious oil! I really want to earn Rose too. Fingers crossed!
Check out this video on how they harvest those precious Jasmine flowers. About 30,000 flowers are needed to make 1 5mL bottle!
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