One new aspect of Alternative Medicine is to use the essential oils of plants to treat all sorts of human conditions from fevers to dandruff. I have used many of these treatments myself and my family and pets, and found that some work very well indeed. However, the plant essences used are VERY expensive. They are also so very concentrated they can not be used on the skin undiluted. Just to give you an idea of how strong they are the usual dilution is three drops to a tablespoon of oil or water before use.

Soooooooooo, rather than buy many expensive distilled essences, and then extensively dilute them, you can make "user friendly" body oils right from the start. What you need are your fresh or dried herb of choice, a jar with a lid, and some cooking oil. With these simple household items you can make your own oils!

BASIC DIRECTIONS:

Materials:
Pint Jar with Lid (recycle!!)
Fresh Herbs to tightly fill the jar
Salad Oil
Sterilized knife blade

Process:
Wash and sterilize the jar and lid. Boiling them both, and letting them air dry will work fine.

Chop fresh herbs to fill the jar. The chopped edge will release more essence to the oil. Pack into the jar. Heat the oil to 160 degrees F. Carefully pour into jar over the herbs. Swish the sterilized knife blade around to release any air bubbles. Cap the jar. Store away from light for a month or more. The essence will infuse the oil to exactly the right dilution for therapeutic use or to just jazz up a salad!

Suggested Oils for Beginners:

Peppermint Infused Oil:
Pick peppermint and process according to directions. If you pick herbs in the wild please never
take more than a quarter of the patch. You may wipe out next year’s bounty if you take more. Peppermint oil is good for sore muscles and for congestion due to colds and flu. Another use is to rub on one’s abdomen to cure a stomach ache or cramps.

Sage Infused Oil:
Pick fresh sage and process according to the above instructions. Sage is an antiseptic and also useful for menopause symptoms.

Rosemary Infused Oil:
Pick fresh rosemary sprigs or use one of the containers of dry rosemary you can purchase at the grocery. Infuse according to directions. If you use the dry herbs you need much less only a quarter the amount of fresh. Rosemary is great for scalp problems like dandruff, and also is wonderful mixed half and half with Peppermint Infused oil for a muscle rub.

Rose Petal Infused Oil:
Pick fresh rose petals after the dew has dried. Process as above. Great for skin care, and a super mood improver in the winter months!

To gain more knowledge of Aromatherapy check out the book:
COMPLETE BOOK OF ESSENTIAL OILS and AROMATHERAPY
by Valarie Ann Wormwood (great name for a herbalist!!!)

This text is so helpful and comprehensive I think every house should have one! It focuses on uses of commercial distilled essences, but your infused oils will work fine adapted to her recipes.

Also Check out these Sites in Bellaonline.com

The Alternative medicine site at Bella!
http://alternativemedicine.bellaonline.com/Site.asp

Bella Fragrance Site:
http://fragrance.bellaonline.com/Site.asp

For more ideas Check out these Frugal Living Books!
Complete Tightwad Gazzette
The Complete Tightwad Gazzette

Declare Your Finanacial Independence
Declare Your Financial Independence

Complete Cheapskate
Mary Hunt's Complete Cheapskate

Miserly Moms
Miserly Moms

You Can Afford to Stay Home With your Kids
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