Essential Oils are volatile, which is a fancy term for liquid that evaporates when it is exposed to the air. Unlike other volatile liquids like alcohol or chemicals, Essential Oil are generally non-toxic and can usually be handled with minimal precaution. In addition, the volatility of Essential Oils ensures that - regardless of your method of application - a certain amount is always inhaled.
The natural healing and pure organic properties of these oils makes them a popular choice for high quality scented home and hygiene products like Scented Candles, Incense, Shampoo, Conditioner or other bath and body products. Even in minute quantities, most Essential Oils make a big difference!
Pure Essential Oils also have the tendency to be very absorbent in the skin. This makes it a popular choice in personal scent items like perfume or cologne. It is common for perfume and cologne scents to include a "Carrier Oil" which compliments and dilutes the scents. Example Carrier Oils are Grapeseed and Jojoba Oil.
Beware: Depending on one`s skin type and the type of Essential Oil applied, some essential oils can cause a skin reaction in it's pure form, which is termed "neat".

When Essential Oils are used during a body massage, relaxing bath, or other treatment, we smell and inhale evaporated particles of Essential Oils. The scent and interaction with the skin is said to have varying effects depending on the fragrance.
For example, Essential Oil (see below or table of contents), is used for a large variety of therapeutic and health-related functions. Applied Orally (smell only), Lavender is Anti-depressant. When applied directly or in bath and body products, Lavender is an Anti-Inflamatory, Anti-Septic, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Viral all-in-wonder "mother of all Essential Oils".

The term Essential Oil is generally applied to all the aromatic oils used in Aromatherapy. Essential Oils are the pure, natural and organic product derived from distilling fruit, flowers, leaves, twigs, bark, or root. This is in turn bottled in sterile glass bottles and used with hundreds of years of experience by people who have learned the characteristics and interactions of these oils and their benefits.
The main characteristic of a true and pure Essential Oil is that it will only dissolve in fatty oils (Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil), or in alcohol. They will not dissolve in water and this has implications for the way they are used. Essential Oils are very concentrated and powerful, and are usually diluted before use in aromatherapy. For example, most aromatherapy scented massage oils only contain 2% to 3% Essential Oil or a blend of oils.

This blend of Essential Oils will get you going in no time! Not to be confused with caffeine, the blend below helps to create mental alertness and fight fatigue through Aromatherapy.

2 parts Ginger
3 parts Grapefruit
If using "neat"(or directly on the skin) add:
10-15 parts JoJoba Oil

Applications:
Personal scent:
Add 10-15 parts Jojoba Oil, apply to wrists, neck, and behind the ears (optional).
The Quicker Picker Upper:
Apply to a thick or folded tissue and hold 10-15 cm from face.
Home Scents:
Place in Oil Warmer/Burner with equal parts water.
In larger quantities, apply to hot damp towel and place in front of a house fan!
Burn Quality Scented Candles and Incense that you are sure contain Essential Oils (not the dollar store variety!).
Tumble-Dry Aromatherapy:
Place on wet towel or cloth and place full dryer load before starting. Lasts and Scents your Drawers and Closets!

Lavender is arguably one of the most commonly recognized fragrances and essential oils on the market today! Not only does it smell Beautiful, but it also has numerous benefits!
Aptly Name the Mother of All Scents
Anti-depressant - Smelling Lavender has known to have a calming/relaxing action as well as known to help "center" and balance emotional turmoil. Also well-known as a sleeping aid and to assist in mental clarity.
Anti-Inflamatory - Lavender essential oil Mixed with a base oil like grapeseed oil or jojoba oil, can be applied directly to the skin around joints and sore muscles for added relief.
Anti-Septic, Anti-Bacterial Lavender is useful for cleaning hands, reduce allergic skin reactions, heal blemishes, asist with skin acne, scrapes, cuts, bruises, insect bites and more!
Anti-Viral - Lavender Essential Oil often contributes to recovery from colds and ease respiratory ailments like Bronchitis, Influenza and other lung infections.
Not all Essential Oils are created equal and may not be safe for direct skin application. Always test on a small area of skin when trying a new essential oil or brand.
Lavender Tip! If you see a label for an essential oil that states "fragrance" or "essence" and not "steam distilled" or "essential Oil", it is not a true pure oil and will contain additives. Also be aware that there is an immitation plant very similar to Lavender called Lavendin, which has a much more potent smell without the benefits. Lavendin is normally used in very inexpensive lavender scented products and mixed with synthetics and solvents.