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Aromatherapy Uses
| BathAromatherapy
involves using the aroma of different plants to help soothe the mind as
well as the body. The aromatherapy bath happens to be a very effective
method for relaxing tired, stressed bodies. Bathing in essential oils
is an all-natural way to unblock congested pores and ease the symptoms
of fatigue and muscle tension.
Submerging yourself
in an aromatherapy bath is far less expensive than seeking medical
attention for your ailments, and it's something you can do right in
your own home, without risk of any side effects.
Preparing
an aromatherapy bath is simple. Add about 10 drops of your favorite essential
oils into a tub full of warm water and sink your tired body
into the soothing water. Start with one fragrance and as you
familiarize yourself with the different healing properties of various
plants, you can start mixing essential oils to create the desired
effect.
Take time to create the right aromatherapy
bath environment. Your body has a better chance of relaxing if you
first create the right mood. Turn off the lights and use candles
instead. Close the door and tell your family the bathroom is
'off-limits'. And most importantly, don't rush. Make sure you have
plenty of time to soak.
If you are pregnant it's a
good idea to consult with your doctor before indulging in aromatherapy
baths.
For aromatherapy baths, essential
bath oils will penetrate deep into your skin's pores. Scents
such as vanilla will calm, lavender soothes, and peppermint or ocean
mist can invigorate.
Bath
salts and bath powders also work well in aromatherapy baths.
Just sprinkle them into a tub filled with warm water. These products
help detoxify your skin, and relieve muscle aches and pains. Many will
cause your bath water to change color, making your aromatherapy bath a
visual experience as well.
Hydrosols
(also known as floral waters) are less concentrated versions of
essential oils and may be better to use if you have sensitive
skin.
Here is an aromatherapy bath oil recipe.
Create a basic carrier oil blend into which you can then add your
favorite essential oil. For the basic blend mix 3 ounces almond oil, 1
ounce canola oil, 1 1/2 ounces olive oil, 1/2 ounce wheat germ oil, and
1 ounce sesame oil.
Pour this base oil into a jar
with a tight-fitting lid. When ready for a bath, pour 1 ounce of the
basic blend into warm bath water. Add 15 – 25 drops of your favorite
essential oil and mix together well. Enjoy!
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MassageMassaging
essential oils into the skin is a commonly used aromatherapy
technique and one that'll enable you to reap tremendous therapeutic
benefits. If you've never had a massage, you don't know what you're
missing. After a massage session, you'll feel amazingly relaxed and
rejuvenated. Here are some tips on getting the most out of your
aromatherapy massage.
You'll reap the maximum
benefit if you have someone else give you a massage. You can massage
some areas of your body yourself, such as your feet and your temples,
but what you really need to focus on while getting a massage is
relaxing. You'll never be able to fully relax if you're doing the work,
no matter how minimal. While you can enlist the help of just about
anybody, you'll be better off if your massage is performed by a
professional.
The person you choose for your
massage is just as important as the aromatherapy massage environment.
It should be somewhat darkened and very quiet. The only noises you
should hear are natural ones such as bubbling brooks, crashing waves, a
gentle rain or other similarly soothing sounds. If you can't listen to
the real thing, don't worry. Pre-recorded sounds work just fine.
You'll
be most comfortable and reap the most benefits if you're lying on a
firm but comfortable surface. You'll also be more relaxed if you're
warm so be sure you're partially covered with a soft, luxurious towel.
If you're okay not being covered, then have a towel nearby in case you
care to use it later on. A relaxed state will cause the body's
metabolism rate to slow, which will cause the body temperature to
lower.
Essential oils are best and are generally
what's used for massage. Essential
oils are extracted from plant material and they're most
effective when they're diluted with carrier
oils or hydrosols.
Essential oils are highly concentrated oils and they can be too strong
for some skin when used alone. Plus essential oils can be expensive so
economically it makes sense to mix them with carrier oils.
The
essential oils you choose depend on the benefits you desire. Lavender is
excellent for relaxing while peppermint
is good for soothing sore muscles. Good carrier oils to use for massage
include apricot kernel, sweet almond, and
grapeseed.
As a
general rule, you'll need 1 to 2 ounces of carrier oil to massage the
entire body. The only carrier oil that is not recommended for use in
massage is mineral oil.
If you're the one who is
giving a massage pour a small amount of oil into your hands first to
allow them to warm slightly. Rub into skin using a combination of long
strokes, and large and small circular motions. Continually vary both
the speed and the motion of the massage. When hand movements begin to
'drag' it's time to use more oil.
Massage
oil recipes for relaxation:
Lavender essential oils
– Mix 4 drops for every tablespoon of carrier oil
Petitgrain
essential oils – Mix 1 drop for every tablespoon of carrier oil
Frankincense
essential oils – Mix 1 drop for every tablespoon of carrier oil
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CookingIf
you consider yourself more than a beginner when it comes to cooking,
you're likely already incorporating principles of aromatherapy into the
foods you create. Using ingredients like infused oils and flavored
butters not only adds a tremendous amount of flavor to your meals,
these types of ingredients cause your smell receptors to come alive.
You
might never have thought about this before, but eating involves more
than your sense of taste. Unfortunately for many of us, we never seem
to have enough time to fully appreciate our meals. We eat fast while on
the go, and never give our brains enough time to process the
experience. If we could only slow down, we would realize that eating
involves the sense of smell as well.
In fact, much
of what we taste is influenced by smell. It has to be otherwise, we
could only taste what our tongues have been designed to process -
saltiness, bitterness, sweetness and sourness. Need further proof? Walk
into any home at meal time or any restaurant and before we even see
food we smell it and we're able to pick out different aromas and that
makes us instantly hungry.
Here are a few tips on
incorporating aromatherapy into your cooking.
Don't
be afraid to experiment with your food! Herbs, spices and even edible
flowers can breathe new life into your meals. These ingredients will
turn the most boring of foods like vegetables into foods you look
forward to eating.
Incorporating aromatherapy into
your cooking can help you lose
weight. One reason why people tend to gravitate towards
high fat foods is because these foods taste so good. And while cheese,
creams, gravies and butter do add a lot of flavor, they also add a lot
of calories. Using more fruits, vegetables and lean proteins in your
recipes and flavoring them with herbs and flavored oils will provide
you with the vitamins, nutrients and will invigorate, revitalize and
lift your mood at the same time!
Before you can
add aroma and flavor to food, it's got to be released from the plant
material first. Heat is an effective method of extracting aromas, but
too much heat will damage these plants and consequently, spoil your
meals. For best results, always heat slowly using low heat.
What products can be used in
aromatherapy cooking?
Infusions
Infusions
are great to use in aromatherapy cooking. Not only do they add a
variety of different flavors, they're easy to make. An infusion is an
oil or water that has been steeped generally with herbs or flowers.
Herbed butter
Used
sparingly, herbed butters add a tremendous amount of flavor and an
incredible aroma to practically any food. And as with infusions, herbed
butters are easy to make at home.
Herbs
When
cooking, you'll extract more flavors if you use fresh herbs.
Some cooking ideas
Instead
of pastas made with cheese and meat, toss with vegetables that have
been sautéed in infused oils.
Brush poultry,
vegetables and seafood with herbed butter, wrap in aluminum foil, then
grill. The steam will help the flavor of the herbed butters seep
throughout the grilled items.
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Household Cleaning and
FreshenersIf you've got to clean house, why
not reap the benefits of aromatherapy while you're at it! If you've
ever tackled household chores, you know that the smell of some products
is overwhelming. If used without proper ventilation, many can even
cause sickness.
Wouldn't it be nice if your
household chores were invigorating rather than tiring? They can be and
your home can be too. Here's how. First, a few tips.
Making
your own household cleansers is easy, fun and cost-effective,
especially if you make large amounts.
As with all
household cleaning and freshening products, remember to properly label
those which are homemade. And remember to store these products in an
area where children or pets can't get them. Even though they're
non-toxic, ingestion of excessive quantities can cause sickness.
Always
keep essential oils away from the eyes.
Which aromatherapy ingredients to
use for cleaning/freshening and how?
To
freshen up the air inside your home, put your favorite scent into a pot
of water and simmer mixture on the stovetop for several hours. The
smell of citrus rinds is invigorating but you can use any essential
oil.
To ensure there's always a fresh scent in the
bathroom squeeze a few drops of essential oil onto the cardboard roll
that holds the toilet paper. The fragrance will release with each pull.
Remember to repeat with each new roll you hang.
If
you want to use chemical-based cleaning products but prefer to leave
behind a fragrance that doesn't smell like harsh chemicals, make a
rinse using water and your favorite essential oil. Eucalyptus, pine,
lemon, wintergreen, lavender and lots of others are good choices. Four
drops for every pint of water is a good ratio. Place mixture into a
spray bottle and use it as a sort of 'final rinse' when cleaning. Store
in a dark area.
Tee
tree oil and lavender
essential oils have anti-bacterial properties so you can
use this type of natural mixture for cleaning countertops. Just mix a
few drops with water and spray on surfaces. For large jobs such as
killing mold and mildew, add about 50 drops into a bucket of water.
Here's
a simple recipe for homemade carpet fresheners. In a bowl mix 4 cups of
baking soda or cornstarch with 25 drops rosewood essential oil, 35
drops of eucalyptus essential oil and 30 drops lavender essential oil.
Break apart clumps and stir well. Pour into a shaker bottle. Sprinkle
on carpets about 15 minutes prior to vacuuming. Instead of the
essential oils listed here, you can mix your own personal favorites.
To
clean floors, combine 15 drops of orange
essential oil and 8 drops of lemon essential oils,
1 gallon hot water and 2 tablespoons liquid soap. This mixture will
work on tough jobs and will leave the room smelling fresh.
Make
your own dryer sheets by placing several drops of your favorite
essential oil onto a towel. Add the towel into the dryer along with
clothes and dry as you normally would.
For a deep
sleep, place lavender
essential oil into a spritz-type bottle. Lightly spritz
bed sheets before retiring for the night.
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Garden and InsectsAromatherapy
could not exist without plants and consequently, the garden plays an
important role. It's the area used for growing the plants whose aromas
can then be extracted. With a bit of planning and routine maintenance,
anyone can reap aromatherapy benefits right in their own back yards.
Here
are a few tips to help get you started.
The eventual
quality of the plants you grow will be dependent on the quality of your
soil. Before you begin gardening, test your soil. It may not be the
right consistency to support plant life, it might have insufficient
drainage or it may be lacking some important nutrients. These
situations can easily be remedied. Your local garden center can help
you with soil testing and preparation.
Growing
herbs, something that many people do already, is an easy way to begin
reaping the benefits of aromatherapy. Fresh herbs not only smell great,
they can add a whole new dimension to cooking. Herbs and some flowers
can be infused into oils or water and mixed into butter to create
tantalizing new flavors.
It's your space so plant
the flowers you enjoy smelling. Aromatherapy activates the part of the
brain responsible for recalling
memories and it's amazing how a simple scent can bring you
back in time. The ability to recall a simpler, happier time is one of
aromatherapy's most amazing benefits. If you grew up surrounded by
roses or other fragrant plants, add these to your aromatherapy garden.
When mature, you'll look forward to regular strolls through your very
own 'memory lane'. Enclosed spaces are more intimate and can really
hold in the aromas.
If you're short on outdoor
planting space, use containers instead. Containers also work well in
colder climates as they can be used to grow plants indoors. You can
also get creative and plant seeds in between the cracks along sidewalks
and stone paths.
You can plant anything you like
in your aromatherapy garden. It might help to learn more about the
qualities of various plants. That way, in addition to growing the
plants with pleasant fragrances, you'll grow those that can actually
help in the areas you seek relief.
Eucalyptus,
Citronella, Lemongrass, Lavender and Peru Balsam Bark are effective natural insect repellants.
Eucalyptus also has antibiotic qualities.
For insect stings, minor cuts and
abrasions, create a poultice. Into a blender add 1/2 cup
of lemon balm. Slowly add boiling water while blending until a paste is
created. Spread paste on the affected area. Cover with gauze or a
bandage.
Here's another recipe for insect bites.
Combine 2 drops roman chamomile, 3 drops lavender, 1 drop peppermint
and 3 drops eucalyptus in a container and mix well, then add 1 ounce
cider vinegar. Moisten cotton ball with mixture and dab on the insect
bites as necessary to relieve discomfort.
If
you're looking for an insect
repellant add 60 drops of citronella essential oil
into a spray bottle. Next add in 2 ounces of witch hazel extract.
Shake the bottle well before each use. Spray all exposed area to keep
insects away. Citronella repels insects and witch hazel has
moisturizing and soothing qualities.
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Learn More about
AromatherapyBuying
Products and Ingredients
Aromatherapy
and CO2's
Blending
Essential Oils
Carrier
Oils
Infused
Oils
Techniques
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