In our regular daily morning routines, over 325 chemicals from products like shampoo, conditioner, soap, face wash are absorbed into our skin, according to Tobie-Lynn Austin, certified aromatherapy practitioner.

“All of those chemicals are before anything is even ingested, even before make up or a chapstick is used. The body can’t break down those chemicals so it ends up making people sick,” said Austin.

After first learning pharmacology, Austin has since been practising Indian head massage therapy and aromatherapy for the past two years.

“I was always interested in different methods and I wanted to create a line of natural products for myself and family to avoid the side effects and chemicals of other medicines. It’s also because I couldn’t find a good quality natural product with authentic oils,” said Austin.

Austin had to first learn aromatherapy and how to properly use the essential oils for their healing properties. Afterward, she began to use aromatherapy to aid her family and herself.

“My young son had eczema, but he doesn’t anymore. I used to have to use an asthma inhaler that I used daily, but since using aromatherapy I haven’t had an attack in two years, I’d been hospitalized for my asthma in the past too. Also, no one in my family has had a full-blown cold in two years,” said Austin.

The key to using essential oils for their healing properties is that the body can use and digest natural products, unlike chemicals.

“It’s also preventative and strengthens the immune system, cleans and refreshes and all without the negative side effects. The oils simply stimulate your body to heal itself,” said Austin.

The difference between using an all-natural product compared to one with chemicals can be large, according to Austin.

“Take for example a cancer-causing ingredient. Maybe it’s not a dangerous amount in say, your lip gloss, because the limit isn’t exceeded. But, factor in how many other products you’re using that contain that same ingredient and how often you use them,” said Austin.

Austin went on to say that harmful products the average person may not know about are found in a number of products that are regularly used.

“If you’ve been using the same brand of dish soap for example, for years, and all of a sudden you develop a rash, that’s the chemicals building up in your skin because your body can’t filter them out anymore. The human body wasn’t made to digest all of these chemicals and additives,” said Austin.

Pointing out the fact that for every product on the market there is a natural alternative, Austin offers a rule of thumb.

“If you can’t pronounce the chemical or don’t know what it is, why are you putting them into your body? Your skin absorbs everything that it comes in contact with which then is absorbed into your system. There are common chemicals that actually change hormones and cell structure,” said Austin.

Austin says that the most common treatment she performs is a lymph node flushing.

“People will come in with swollen lymph nodes. It’s the body saying that it can’t deal with the chemicals. If it can’t figure out how to filter them, they stagnate in the body. There are so many chemicals outside that you can’t control what your body absorbs. So, you need to control what you can,” said Austin.

Austin went on to say that unknown chemicals are in many products because it’s a cheaper way for companies to mass produce, regardless of the possible effects.

“There are 50 chemicals in a single fragrance. It’s cheaper to make a product that way rather than using 2000 rose petals, for example, to produce a couple of drops of rose scent. But, the earth gave us everything we need to survive. One essential oil can treat 10-20 conditions without negative side effects,” said Austin.

Austin further explained that people should research and read labels of products prior to purchasing them, even if the label says all natural.

“The government doesn’t regulate what amount all natural is. It could mean that 98 per cent of the product is all natural, but the remaining two per cent could be the cancer causing chemical. The products with the fewest ingredients and the ones that you can pronounce are the ones that you want to look for,” said Austin.

In terms of cost, Austin says that although some products can be more expensive, most are comparable.

“If you buy from small communities you’re going to know exactly what’s in the product to ensure they are no toxins and you’re getting all the good healing properties. You don’t have to spend a fortune on soap or creams to be healthy,” said Austin.

Austin went on to say that like other forms of natural medicine, aromatherapy only treats the symptoms that are needed to be treated. Like the others, the root cause and the entire person is first looked at and treated.

“The oils offer scent recognition that triggers good feelings while providing healing properties, all naturally. Your body doesn’t build immunity to natural oils and they treat a variety of conditions and diseases,” said Austin.

Since it is a form of natural medicine, Austin says the person who creates a blend of essential oils must be someone who is certified and trained.

“There are allergies to some oils and if a woman is pregnant, that is a factor as well. Often what they’ll do is assess the symptoms, then create a personal blend to suit the needs of the person’s lifestyle to use during a massage and to use at home,” said Austin.

Tobie-Lynn Austin practices out of Scent From Heaven, Natural Health Centre out of Brantford, Ontario.