Former resident of Fanwood Delsa Richards, who shared her passion and knowledge of essential oils with local residents at the Mountainside Public Library.
FANWOOD, NJ — Former Fanwood resident Delsa Richards returned to New Jersey to share her passion for essential oils with residents in the area on April 14 at the Mountainside Public Library. Aside from explaining the various uses of essential oils, she also shared some of her favorites with the group. Each type of oil is used for various purposes, but Richards made it clear that although homeopathic remedies such as aromatherapy can be used to promote health, they are not a substitute for medical treatment.
“Essential oils are used to promote a healthy lifestyle,” said Richards. “They are not going to cure or prevent diseases. I have found them useful for myself and my family. When a neighbor first introduced me to the idea, I thought she was crazy. After I became more familiar with using the oils, I found them to be beneficial.”
It was around 2008 that she first began using essential oils for various purposes. Aromatherapy is just one way to use the oils. Richards also explained how the oils can be safely consumed and applied to the skin.
“I have two children plus a set of twins,” she said. “This is when I started searching for something that would help keep my children healthy in a natural, safe way.”
Richards demonstrated how to use a diffuser to heat and separate the particles of the oils so that they could be absorbed into the air and inhaled. Aromatherapy works so well because, unlike our other four senses, smell is immediately recognized by the brain. For more potency, the oils can be diluted with a carrier oil and applied to the skin.
“Oils should be diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut oil and then applied to the bottom of the feet,” she said. “The feet have the biggest pores which aides with absorption. Once it’s absorbed into the skin, it enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the entire body.”
She also demonstrated that oils can be used to make various products such as dryer balls, hand soap and nail polish remover. The group followed along with her instructions to make a dryer ball using yarn, nylon and oil. Everyone had their favorite oil or combination of oils to use, although lemon oil is recommended for cleaning and cooking.
“My favorite oil is wild orange,” Richards said. “I use it every day. Our society has become so dependent on drugs, but our bodies were made to take care of themselves.”
Wild orange is a strong scent that’s used to energize and improve the immune system. In addition to using oils, Richards also practices yoga to maintain her health. A holistic approach takes into account the overall health of a person.
“I love my life the way it is,” said Richards. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, but I need to make sure I stay happy and healthy. Essential oils help me do that.”
She plans to return to the area again so she can share her passion with more people. She also uses her background in food science to create different blends of oils that can be combined to aid a specific ailment. She gained knowledge of essential oils by taking online classes and reading about the subject.