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Aromatherapy 101
“Aromatherapy
is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant
materials, known as essential oils, and other scented compounds from
plants for the purpose of affecting a person's mood or health.” (Wikipedia) Aromatherapy
is gaining popularity because people are seeking alternate methods of
healing and aromatherapy is one of the easiest to use. Essential
oils can be a little pricey, some more than others, but it is important to
buy good quality, 100% pure essential oils. Certain oils are more
expensive than others because of the difficulty of extracting the oils, or
the amount of the plant needed to produce the oil.
Some oils require huge amounts of the plant to make a very small
amount of oil. But keep in mind, you are only using a few drops of oil at a
time, and they last a very long time if you leave them in a cool, dark
place. To get
started you’ll need a few of your favorite essential oils (see oils and
their properties), a carrier oil (which is the oil that “carries” the
essential oil into the skin), such as sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil
and a bowl or bottle to mix them in.
You must always dilute essential oils because they can burn
the skin if put on directly. The
only essential oils you can use undiluted are lavender and tea tree oil. If you want to use oils in the bath, you don’t need to
dilute them in oil, you can add a few drops to the bath with the running
water, just make sure you swish the water around a bit before getting in
the tub. (Wash the tub after
using any oils to avoid slipping).
You can
also use essential oils for inhalation.
A vaporizer which you heat the oils with a candle, or a bowl of hot
water with which you inhale the steam are other good ways to use
aromatherapy. To steam, fill
a bowl with hot water and add a few drops of essential oil.
Put your head above the bowl and cover your head with a towel.
Inhale the steam for a few minutes. The
basic formula for most massage oils is about 3-5 drops of essential oil to
every teaspoon of carrier oil. Essential
oils are very potent, it is always better to have too little than too
much, because they can burn or make you sick in large amounts. (If you
are pregnant or breast feeding, you should not use essential oils, as they
actually get into the blood stream). The most common essential oils used in aromatherapy are: Lavender, Bergamot, chamomile, eucalyptus, peppermint, rose, rosemary and tea tree oil.
LavenderThis is
considered the “first-aid oil.” Lavender
is good for burns, sunburn, insect bites and small cuts and scrapes. You can apply it directly (undiluted) to the site.
Lavender is also good for nervous insomnia and stress. You can
add a few drops of lavender to a vaporizer and burn it in the bedroom ½
before you go to bed to help you sleep.
You can add a few drops to a warm bath before bed to help you get
sleepy or help relive tension.
Lavender, Spike Essential Oil Cert Organic 1/3 oz: K
BergamotBergamot
helps insomnia and nervous anxiety as well as depression.
(Do not use bergamot to replace any anti-depressant medication
unless otherwise recommended by your doctor). For
insomnia and anxiety, you can use it in a warm bath, (not hot), let
yourself unwind for about 15 minutes and breathe deeply.
Use
bergamot in a vaporizer to help lift your mood, or keep a bottle of the
oil in your desk at work to help with tension and lift mood.
Bergamot, Natural Organic Essential Oil 1/3 oz: K
ChamomileRoman or
English: nervous tension and anxiety and PMS.
It will relax and can act as an antidepressant.
For PMS add 3 drops of chamomile to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and
massage the abdomen gently and also the lower back in clockwise, circular
movements. You can also use
it in the bath or a vaporizer for anxiety and depression. German:
used as an anti-inflammatory when used with a carrier oil for massaging
the itchy or inflamed skin. Can
be used diluted on the face to help with healing acne, rosacea and
inflammation. Use chamomile
tea bags that have been steeped and cooled as sore eye treatment.
Drink chamomile tea to aid in digestion or help ease a sore
stomach.
Chamomile Roman Essential Oil 1/3 fl oz: C
Chamomile, German Essential Oil 1/8 fl oz: K EucalyptusEucalyptus
is best known for its ability to clear sinus and nasal congestion. It can also be used for aches and pains because of its
warming effects on the body. One of
the best things to do when you have a cold is to have a warm eucalyptus
bath. Relax in the bath and
inhale deeply to relieve sinus and lung congestion, and ease your aches
and pains that are associated with a cold.
To help block sinuses you can also use the steam bowl method, or in
a vaporizer.
Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil Cert Organic 1/3 fl oz: K
PeppermintPeppermint
is commonly used in foot soaks, scrubs and lotions due to its cooling
effects. (Depending on the
dosage, peppermint can also warm). Ease
indigestion and intestinal cramps by using it as massage oil and massaging
the abdomen in a clockwise motion. For
headaches and sinus pain you can inhale the oil directly from the bottle,
or put a few drops on a cotton pad and breathe it in.
Peppermint Organic Essential Oil 1/3 oz: K
RoseRose can
soften the skin and reduce the redness of capillaries.
It also aids in easing the symptoms of PMS.
Use in a carrier oil for the skin and in a vaporizer to help with
emotions and mood. This oil
can be really helpful when dealing with times of grief and loss when you
smell the oil.
Rose Absolute in Jojoba Oil Essential Oil 0.5 fl oz: K
RosemaryRosemary
can stimulate the memory and concentration.
It is also helpful with respiratory diseases, muscular aches and
pains and poor circulation due to its warming effects. For
memory and concentration use in a vaporizer.
For muscular aches and pains use it as massage oil and/or in the
bath.
Rosemary Organic Essential Oil 1/3 oz: K
Tea Tree OilTea tree
oil is best known for it healing effects on acne, treating oily skin and
as an antiseptic for cuts and scrapes.
It is antibacterial and antifungal and is commonly added to
pedicure water or applied directly to the nails to treat fungus.
Tea tee is rarely used as an inhalant because it doesn’t smell
very good, but it is helpful with respiratory infections.
You can mix it with another oil for respiratory problems to improve
the smell of the tea tree. You can
use tea tree in a facial wash, toner, moisturizer and even apply it
directly on the skin undiluted. Spot
treat pimples, boils, and minor cuts and scrapes.
Tea Tree Organic Essential Oil 1/3 oz: K Remember
to always dilute essential oils before applying them to skin or bath. You do not need to dilute them for a vaporizer. When
using essential oils, be sure to never apply them before going into the
sun, as many essential oils can cause hyper-pigmentation when exposed to
the sun. Use sun block. For some
great books on aromatherapy, visit the enchanted bookstore.
Beauty Essentials
Here is a great list
of essential oil treatments for skin and hair.
Essential oils are great beauty compliments that are all natural
and easy to use. Please review these basics. They are a repeat from last month, but these are important. You cannot apply essential oils directly to skin (with the exception of lavender and tea tree). You must dilute essential oils into a carrier oil and water (such as a bowl or bath). A general massage dilution is about 15 drops of essential oil into 30ml of oil. |
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