Q: What exactly are essential oils? Essential to what?
A: These oils are called
”
essential
”
because they are the very essence of plants, the volatile oils
that give plants their fragrance and flavor.
By Martha Stewart
Q: What exactly are essential oils? Essential to what?
A: These oils are called “essential” because they are the very essence of plants, the volatile oils that give plants their fragrance and flavor. Most often, they are extracted from a plant’s leaves or petals, but in some plants they are found in the seeds, roots or stems. Highly aromatic, they are used commercially in perfumes and lotions. They are also sold on their own for such uses as aromatherapy.
Different oils are said to have different therapeutic or soothing qualities. For example, rosemary may stimulate circulation. Lavender may ease insomnia, fatigue and headaches, and is sometimes recommended for burns, cuts and insect bites. Eucalyptus may help clear the chest when you have a cold.
Essential oils are administered in various ways, such as through massage therapy or application to an affected area; by inhalation (dab a few drops onto a handkerchief or add to hot water, and breathe it in); in the bath; and in diffusers, which disperse the scent into the air.
These potent oils are very concentrated and should never be applied at full strength directly to skin. Dilute two to three drops in a tablespoon of almond oil first. They should never be taken internally or in greater quantities than recommended. Some oils should not be used by children or pregnant women. If you are pregnant, always consult a doctor before using essential oils or any medications.
You’ll find essential oils at shops that specialize in herbs and at some health-food stores. Don’t confuse essential oils with products labeled “fragrance oil” or “craft oil,” which are usually synthetic. A good shop can also be an excellent source of information on essential oils. There are many books on using plants for natural healing. One particularly thorough volume is “The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants,” by Andrew Chevallier (DK Publishing, 1996).
Q: Do grouped photographs on a wall have to have common frames?
A: A grouping of photographs or other pieces of artwork does not demand matching frames. But whatever frames you choose will affect the tone of the arrangement and of the entire room.
Using the same kind of frame for each piece results in a more formal effect. This can also bring together varied pieces, such as family snapshots from different eras. For a look that’s unified but not regimented, mix frames in similar styles, like simple wooden frames in various tones and sizes, or a collection of gilded frames from the flea market.
In general, the greater the diversity, the more casual the result: A truly eclectic assortment, such as brushed-metal, black lacquer and pickled-wood frames, can be lovely yet informal.
The arrangement of the photos influences the mood every bit as much as the frames do. A perfectly even row, for example, is proper and somewhat solemn; a precise grid is graphic and modern; and a free-form grouping is playful and comfortable. Before hanging the pictures, lay them out on the floor or lean them against the wall, then arrange and rearrange until you find the most appealing scheme.
Q: How do you recommend organizing my collection of antique linen napkins?
A: It is important to keep sets of napkins together. Acid-free tissue is an excellent storage material, because it helps prevent fabric from yellowing. However, it is not very convenient to store all of your napkins in packages that look exactly the same, so make sure to distinguish the sets from one another.
For the sets that you use infrequently, stack the napkins and wrap them loosely in the tissue (as you would wrap a present), then write a brief description of the napkins on an adhesive label – “Set of Eight Yellow Damask,” for example – and attach it to the top of the bundle. For napkins you use more often, just wrap a sleeve of tissue or clear cellophane around the stack so you can see which ones they are, and secure the ends of the tissue or cellophane with a sticker on which you’ve written the number of napkins in the set.
Store them on clean shelves or in shallow drawers that are painted or lined (wood can stain fabrics over time). Each time you use the napkins, launder and press them promptly and get them organized into neat sets once again.
Good Things
– Look for the new Martha Stewart column in Lifestyles every Wednesday. The domestic diva will offer tips on home decor and garden improvement.
Martha Stewart is a well-known domestic diva who has written several books on homemaking. Questions should be sent to ms********@ma***********.com or to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10036. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; unfortunately, unpublished letters cannot be answered individually.
