Smells like hippies...

I first became interested in essential oils way back in the 80s.  OK, not really the 80s.  It was 1989 which is more like the 90s if we are rounding up.  Lets just say over 20 years ago a while ago.  I was running around San Francisco and the Northern California area following the Grateful Dead.  The first oil I ever had contact with was Patchouli.  It seems patchouli was the scent of choice for the hippie set.  Maybe to cover up the smell of weed or hippie BO. I always liked the smell (of patchouli not weed and BO).  It has a sweet but earthy aroma.  Like honey and moist dirt.  I bought some cheap patchouli from a metaphysical store in San Francisco.  With nose wrinkled and a look of what could be interpreted as disgust but I am sure was just envy my adoring baby brother commented, "smells like hippies in here..."

My next oils were Tea Tree oil and Lavender oil.  Those were a little better quality.  I actually bought them at a health food store.  I bought tea tree oil to use as a throat gargle for my chronic sore throat and for zits other things.  The lavender was for relaxation and sleep.  I have always had issues with insomnia.

I got my hands on an excellent book by Valerie Ann Wormwood called The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Over 600 Natural, Non-Toxic and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health - Beauty - a Safe Home Environment it was my essential oil bible.  I got it in 1992 and still have it.


My husband and kids lovingly proclaim "she has an oil for that!" every time someone has an ailment in need of TLC.  Sometimes they wrinkle their noses and 'pretend' they don't like a certain smell but they keep coming back for more.  I think they like smelling like hippies!