As a clinical herbalist and aromatherapist, I have seen the profound healing effects of essential oils in my 15 years of practice. Therapeutic-grade essential oils can work to heal common ailments where other medications fail. Essential oil blends can be used to treat many conditions, without the side effects that synthetic chemicals may cause. They work quickly and effectively to soothe pain and inflammation.

A pocket-sized first aid kit
The Latin root of "lavender," lavare, means "to clean" or "wash oneself." Historically used to fight plague and other pestilence, this powerful essential oil is also gentle enough to be applied "neat", or undiluted, directly on the skin.

Lavender oil is considered to be the panacea of aromatherapy. Keeping a bottle of lavender in your home pharmacy, car or workplace is a must. Because it is used for so many different kinds of ailments, it makes a perfect pocket-sized first aid kit. Pure, therapeutic-grade, organic lavender oil can be used to treat burns, sunburns, cuts, scrapes, insect bites and acne, amongst many other applications. It provides fast, soothing relief upon contact. Lavender's sweet smell is only a secondary benefit!

There are dozens of essential oils that can be used for many treatments. Some favorites of mine are peppermint for nausea, headaches and mental clarity; helichrysum italicum for bruising, swelling, sprains and strains (a great post-workout treatment); Roman chamomile for its anti-spasmodic action; blue chamomile for its anti-inflammatory effects; and tea tree for its strong anti-microbial effects on pimples, athlete's foot and dandruff.

The importance of organic
Plants make essential oils to protect themselves from pests, bacteria and environmental stress. By carefully distilling plants like lavender (it takes about one ton of lavender plants to produce only four liters of essential oil!), we can use their healing oils for our own ailments. But if you spray a plant like lavender with pesticides and herbicides, the lavender will not produce its own natural healing chemicals, because the pesticides are doing that job for the plant.

It is also common to find adulterated essential oils in the market place. Adulterated or synthetic oils can cause short-term side effects like rashes, burning or other irritations. When an essential oil is labeled organic, this certification ensures that the plants were farmed, harvested, distilled and distributed according to organic methods.

So it is very important that we choose organic essential oils when we are using them for their therapeutic qualities. I suggest looking to reputable health food stores and cooperatives. Ask the folks who work there if the essential oils they offer are certified organic, and if the essential oil company sources its oils directly from the distilleries where they were made.

You'll find that essential oils are like fine wines. It may take a while for your nose to recognize a great lavender or roman chamomile. But have patience, because learning to care for yourself with natural healing and beauty products is a self-empowering gift.

Melissa Farris is the owner of and formulator for Veriditas Botanicals, LLC in Minneapolis. She has been an international educator and worked closely with cooperative and independent distillers for over a decade. Veriditas imports therapeutic-grade, organic essential oils directly from sustainable producers worldwide. Learn more at www.veriditasbotanicals.com.