The Ananda Apothecary
Home PageAbout UsTestimonialsAsk a NaturopathInternational ShippingOrdering InformationYour Shopping Cart
Search Ananda

Essential Oils as Aroma Medicine
Rose Flower
Here's our favorite essential oils and applications for immune support for the coming cold months...

Diffusing essential oils in your home or workplace is the first defense. Single essential oils known both for their safety (for a household with children) and immune-boosting actions include Bay Laurel (perhaps the single most powerful anti-viral essential oil) - Eucalyptus radiata, known as the "aromatherapists' designer oil" for its broad range of effects, and Ravensara aromatica, a well known for breathing support and anti-viral activity. All these oils and more are in the Super Immune formula.

Diffusing oils
has the dual effect of potentially 'clearing the air' in your space, and allowing the oils to be absorbed through the breathing passages, giving extra protection to these areas (essential oils are known to improve immunity of each cell they come in contact with). The immune-supportive oils have pleasing herbaceous aromas which many people find appealing. Plus, coming in contact with the oils is a passive experience, which means you don't have to remember about massaging your feet with them (though this is not a bad idea) - you just inhale for best results.

Topical application is also very effective. Essential oils are rapidly absorbed through the skin, so we like a little dab at the lymph nodes of the throat, and a massage of the balls of the feet - the reflex points for the respiratory system. Just make a small bottle of 10% essential oils with any carrier oil. A glass eye dropper bottle works great, and is easily taken with you.

This same blend can be used as a bath oil,
which allows for both absorption through the skin and inhalation as the oil evaporates from the surface of the bath. An excellent choice for travelers: the anti-stress, immune supportive aromatherapy soak!

All for now. Watch our Facebook page for more updates on Ananda's essential oils!

About Flower Essences from Ananda Apothecary: Ananda Apothecary is pleased to offer Flower Essences from two of the most respected manufacturer's available - Nelson Bach, makers of Rescue Remedy and the Bach 'Original Remedy' line, and Flower Essence Services, makers of the North American Flower Essences, Seasons of the Soul Oil / Essence blends, and distributors of the 'Healing Herbs' English essences.

Nelson Bach follows directly in the footsteps of the developer of flower essence therapy
, Dr. Edward Bach. These 38 essences and essence combinations were once the mainstay of flower essences therapy, and continue to be a cornerstone of the practice. Now, Flower Essence Services and the Flower Essence society have conducted extensive research in development of the North American line of flowers, and have significantly expanded the number of available remedies. The folks at FES are very dedicated to the field of vibrational medicine, and by building on Dr. Bach's original work, have made essences available for more specific 'soul types' and emotional conditions than were previously available.

The 'English' essences available through FES include all the flowers originally pioneered by Dr. Bach himself, now made with certified organic methods. To assist in choosing the right essences for you out of this large body of products, we have included many online guides to selecting and using flower essences on our main Flower Essences page. Have a look around! We're sure you'll find the right essence(s) for your needs - and please let us know if you'd like any assistance whatsoever! We are also currently developing Synergy Essentials, which will offer it's own line of flower essences, in addition to those offered on Ananda Apothecary.



Wild Lavender Essential OilAbout Therapeutic Grade Oils from Ananda Apothecary: We carry our own select line of aromatherapy essential oils under the 'Ananda Aromatherapy' banner. It's important to us when you buy oils online, you are confident about your purchase. Our products are selected by aromatherapists from sources around the world to find you some of the finest oil available. We are not simply trying to find the least expensive aromatherapy oils, or the most rare connoisseur varieties, but the best value available in world-class grade select, wildcrafted and organic therapeutic grade oils. A few wonderful examples include our French Highland Lavender oil, a lavender with a great depth of aroma - there are 'notes' within this oil that are not detectable in other Lavenders we've sampled - if you like lavender, this is a real treat. Our dark aged Patchouli - we've had folks that have never liked patchouli before really appreciate this oil. It's deep richness is new to many people. Many organic and wildcrafted varieties are included in the collection when these have been made available at a reasonable price. Some oils have not yet been available this way that meet all our selection criteria, though we continually seek out the highest grades and most ecologically sound production methods. We invite you to sample the high quality varieties we do carry, however! Read more about our rigorous selection process here...
12 milliliter Essential Oil BottlesThe Aromatherapy Reading Room - All About Using, Choosing, and the Chemistry of Essential Oils:
We're always happy to be adding to our online information about the science and art of aromatherapy. Here are a few selections from our library; details of individual essential oils are found on their homepages, from the list above.

The Chemistry of Essential Oils - Pure oils are each made up many, sometimes hundreds of individual chemicals...Naturally! These chemical molecules are present in the pure, steam and CO2-distilled oil. Here we explain the importance of these chemicals, and why the finest of oils have a balance of these, which gives the greatest therapeutic effect and the best aroma.

How to Make Essential Oils - Making therapeutic grade oils is a complex process. Steam distillation is the most common method, and makes high quality oil. New technologies are emerging, like extraction with pressurized liquid carbon dioxide (CO2), and even 'super-critical' carbon dioxide (SCO2). Find out which oils benefit from these new processes, and which are still the right choice in steam distilled varieties.

Aromatherapy Techniques - What is aromatherapy, and how are essential oils used? Natural aromatics are very compatible with our physiology, are easily absorbed, and have potent effects on our tissues. Learn the basic aromatherapy techniques and how to get started.

Anti-Viral Essential Oils - Many oils have anti-viral properties; a recent study showed the oils support the immune system, not always by destroying the invader, but improving immune function on a cellular level. Oils like Ravensara, Melissa and Eucalyptus can have potent anti-viral properties. There are a great many Antibacterial essential oils aromatics as well. Other oils and individual aromatic constituents have been studied for anti-cancer effects as well—this is an especially promising area of aroma-medicine.

Anti-Anxiety and Antidepressants in Aromatherapy - Laboratory studies have now presented evidence for the stress deducing effects of aromatherapy. Lavender has been shown time and again to lessen stress responses for laboratory animals. Other aromatics, particularly the citrus oils like Bergamot, Orange, Lemon and Lime instill a sense of well-being. Here's a review of the latest data regarding the anxiolytic action of aromatherapy.




See what our customers have to say!
Secure Shopping