Everyday Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a very effective component of natural and complimentary medicine, with different scents and smells effectively able to alter our moods and help us in a many other ways. Did you know for example that the scent of a rose can prevent headaches and calm us in times of shock and grief?

The great thing about aromatherapy is that you don’t need special equipment to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy. Adding a few drops of essential oils to a pan of boiling water on the stove or perhaps a few drops just added to your bath are all you need to do to reap the benefits. You don’t need burners or candles at all if you don’t want to, although oil burners are attractive items that can look nice in your house and are extremely popular.

You can experience aromatherapy in regular everyday situations. Often aromatherapy is associated with long and luxurious spa sessions, but this is not in fact the case at all! How about hanging an aromatherapy “air freshener” in your car? Sitting in heavy traffic or experiencing a long journey can really take it out of you, but having something that smells nice in your car can really help keep you calm or keep you awake depending on what essential oil you choose of course.

Washing up can also be an excellent place for some gentle aromatherapy. Just add a few drops of your favourite oil to the water and you get to experience all the benefits of the smells whilst simply washing the dishes!

These are just a few ideas of how aromatherapy can be easily interwoven into our everyday and very busy lives. Have any of you any other suggestions of how to administer aromatherapy in a simple and effective way? As always, send in your comments below.

Swedish Bitters

The story of Swedish Bitters is a long one beginning in 1541 when a prominent Swiss Physician of the time, Dr. Phillipus Paracelsus produced the original “version” of Swedish Bitters. It was later however in the 18th century that a Swedish Physician called Dr. Claus Samst discovered the elixir and, being impressed with its qualities, compiled a transcript listing the 46 ailments and conditions that he discovered it could help with. It was at this point it became the Swedish Bitters that we think of today.

Maria Treben, a distinguished Austrain herbalist brought the powerful formula to the attention of the world however in her book “Health Through God’s Pharmacy” where she explained in great detail the benefits of the formula on one’s health. It is sometimes referred to as the “long life elixir” and the life of Dr. Claus Samst himself is testament to that. Dr. Samst lived until he was 104, and even then had his life cut short by a nasty fall whilst out horse riding!

There are a great number of other conditions that Swedish Bitters is thought to help, and these range from toothache to reducing morning sickness, to easing indigestion and removing a fever. It is also used sometimes to help reduce scars including acne scars. It is also thought to help reduce earaches, headaches, tongue ulcers, stomach cramps, sore red eyes and even calm eczema.

If anyone has used Swedish Bitters it would be very interesting to hear how and in what ways it has helped your health. There were originally 46 conditions names in the transcript of the 18th century, and it would be excellent to hear if anyone has some real life stories to back up the claims of the prominent physicians and herbalists mentioned above!