An exceptional thing about using essential oils for Aromatherapy is their ease of use and tremendous versatility. An astonishing amount of strength is packed into every drop, and this makes them extremely easy to work with in everyday life to enhance your health and overall well-being.
However, because essential oils can be utilized in so many ways for Aromatherapy, it can be hard, at first, for novices to get started. It is important to understand how to use essential oils therapeutically and safely.
It can be lots of fun discovering how to use essential oils and trying out all the various methods of Aromatherapy. However, you need to use the oils correctly to be safe and to receive the greatest results. Therefore, since essential oils are extremely potent, they should always be properly diluted with a carrier oilbefore using them.
Here are some of the most popular and easiest ways to use essential oils for Aromatherapy:
Aromatherapy Massage
A therapeutic massage is one of the greatest means of experiencing Aromatherapy as you receive the healing benefits of the essential oils. Moreover, you get the incredible, stimulating advantages of the massage itself! The therapeutic properties of essential oils when brought together with the stimulating effects of massage revitalize the skin and nerves, muscles and the organs of the body. Furthermore, the enhanced circulation of the blood assists with removing toxins from the body.
For your massage blend, you can choose just one, or up to six various essential oils fitting for your particular needs and combine them with a carrier oil. As a general rule, you should use no more than a total of 6 drops to every 2 tsp of carrier oil. If you have especially delicate skin, use only 3 drops of essential oil to every 2 tsp of carrier oil.
Aromatherapy Bath
Nothing is as relaxing as a warm, peaceful bath at the end of a stressful day. Adding relaxing essential oils such as clary sage, chamomile, sandalwood and lavender creates the ultimate relaxing experience.
As an alternative, you can add stimulating essential oils such as lemongrass, sweet orange, rosemary and eucalyptus in the morning time to create an invigorating start to your day.
Dilute 5 - 10 drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil or milk and add to warm water and stir to disperse the oils evenly before getting into the tub.
While you are relaxing in the bath, you are inhaling the aromatic, tiny molecules of essential oils. Furthermore, the essential oils are also penetrating your skin.
*Please note, citrus-based essential oils may be moderately irritating to sensitive skin, so use no more than 3 - 5 drops and always dilute essential oils before adding to bath water. Using a small glass dish to mix essential oil with carrier oil is best, as the highly concentrated essential oils can react with plastic bowls or containers, compromising the integrity of both the oil and plastic container.
A Relaxing Foot Bath
Foot baths are wonderful after you have been on your feet all day or have been on a long walk or run. When your feet begin to complain, a foot bath with essential oils will provide fast relief! Comforting oils such as lavender, black pepper, rosemary or chamomile can really help to relieve your aches and pains.
A refreshing and soothing Aromatherapy foot bath using just one drop each of cooling rosemary, peppermint and lavender will induce joyful relief and have your feet feeling wonderful again in no time at all.
Moreover, a foot bath is the perfect alternative to a traditional bath for the elderly.
You only need 4 - 5 drops of essential oil in a foot bath and always dilute with a teaspoon of carrier oil or milk before adding to foot bath water.
A Soothing Compress
A compress is a profoundly efficient method for both emergency first-aid and pain relief. Use a hot compress for relieving muscle aches, chronic pain and period cramps. Apply a cold compress for reducing sprains, swelling and headaches.
First, dilute 5 - 7 drops of essential oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil and add to a glass bowl with very hot or icy cold water and stir. Then, use a folded washcloth to soak up the essential oils, fully immersing it in the water. Wring out the excess water and apply it to the afflicted area. Finally, wrap or cover the area with a dry towel.
Steam Inhalation
Steam inhalation has been used for centuries to help relieve a number of ailments, including respiratory tract problems. Furthermore, steam inhalation is an efficient way to absorb essential oils into your body.
Pour boiling water into a glass or metal bowl and add 5 - 8 drops of your favorite essential oil or mixed blend. Then, close your eyes, place a towel over your head, lean over the bowl and inhale deeply for a several breaths or until the steam is gone.
For those who suffer from congestion or blocked sinuses due to allergies or seasonal colds, using eucalyptus, cypress, frankincense, pine, tea tree or peppermint can bring tremendous relief.
Aromatherapy Diffusers
Diffusers for Aromatherapy are very versatile and enable you to use essential oils efficiently to help clear a stuffy nose, ease a cough, create a harmonious and relaxing atmosphere, or eliminate lingering cooking odors from your home.
Furthermore, the all-natural, antiseptic properties of some essential oils can be used during illnesses to eliminate airborne bacteria and to aid in the prevention of spreading sicknesses.
Two of the best types of diffusers for Aromatherapy are nebulizers and ultrasonic diffusers. Both types of diffusers use a cool mist to disperse essential oils into the environment, however they are different in a few ways.
Nebulizers use pressurized air to atomize essential oil particles into the air. The unit is usually attached directly to the bottle of essential oil, which uses more of the essential oil but is the most therapeutic way to diffuse. These units are the most expensive type of diffuser because no heat is used nor are the oils diluted in any way, making this the purest form of diffusion.
Ultrasonic diffusers also do not use heat, which compromises the essential oils integrity and purity. Instead, when using an ultrasonic diffuser, the oils are added to a basin of water which is vaporized into the air by means of low frequency vibrations that bring the oil particles to the surface of the water and create a cool mist that is released into the air.
In conclusion, we hope that these easy methods of incorporating Aromatherapy in to your life will help you get started with using your essential oils in the most effective ways.
