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Discover the Secrets to Achieving Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Well-Being. |
Your oils may be used in a variety of ways for emotional and mental well-being as well as treatment of medical conditions or first-aid treatment. It is recommended that you limit the number of oils you blend together to three.
Have fun and play with the combinations as you come up with scents you like! You may want to keep a record of your experiments so you remember what combinations you tried and what affect they had on you and your family.
These are the most common methods of using your oils. To learn more, purchase one of our aromatherapy books.
Bathing is a simple and pleasant way to use essential oils. It has been recognized for centuries that bathing with herbs and essential oils promotes well being and health. A medium-hot or warm bath can be soothing on the mind and body while a cool or cold dip creates an invigorating and stimulating effect. Lukewarm baths are wonderful for lowering the temperature of a fever.
For a bath, place 4 to 6 drops of non-irritating essential oils in a full tub of water. Mix the oil with the water well by agitating the water. Great benefits can be derived from the oil, which penetrates the skin while you relax and breathe in the wonderful aromas. Another idea is to combine your essential oils with a handful or two of Epsom salt or Dead Sea salts which are excellent healing substances and promote the elimination of acidic wastes from the muscles and joints while inducing perspiration to rid the body of infectious illness and promoting relaxation. You may also want to mix your essential oils with sweet almond oil before adding to the bathtub for added moisture for the skin and even distribution of the oil. This is especially important for babies and young children.
To use your oils in the shower, place 2 or 3 drops of oil to a wet sponge or washcloth after cleansing. Rub this briskly on all or part of your body and then rinse by standing under the running water. Flower scents are recommended for this.
An excellent way to relax and refresh tired, sore feet is with a foot bath. A hot aromatic foot bath is also very effective for relieving stress and over-exhaustion, combating excessive perspiration, warding off chills, and easing arthritic or rheumatic pain. Sprinkle 5 or 6 drops of essential oil into a basin of warm or hot water and soak your feet or hands for about 10 minutes. You may also dilute the oils in a teaspoon of cider vinegar, honey or carrier oil before adding to the water.
Direct inhalation is very effective as a decongestant, to ward off nausea, or combat coughs and colds. Place 4 drops of an oil or oil blend on a piece of cloth, pajamas, handkerchief, or pillowcase. Inhale as needed or desired. Because essential oils are volatile, unlike vegetable oils, they will not leave a stain on linen or clothing.
Steam inhalation can be especially helpful for respiratory conditions and congestion. It can also be used to help the humidity levels in a room. Soaking in a steam bath is also useful. Place 6 drops of oil into your bath, or with 4 cups (1 litre) of water into a bowl of hot water. Mix the oil and water well. Be sure to use oils that are non-irritating to the skin.
When using a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and breathe deeply for about three minutes while keeping the eyes closed. It is important not to use this method for too long as it can reverse the initial clearing effect and clog the sinuses again. This is not recommended for those with asthma.
Many oils have a medicinal effect in the air itself as well as on the person breathing them, as they are powerful antiseptics that can kill airborne bacteria. Methods that heat oils speed up their evaporation rate.
A vaporizer are usually made of ceramic or metal and readily available. A few drops are placed in a bowl of the burner and a tea candle is placed underneath, causing the oil to heat up and evaporate. These have an open flame and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
An electric diffuser is one of the best methods available. It has an advantage of not using a naked flame to generate heat. Some diffusers do not use heat to evaporate the oils, providing the benefit of more efficient and prolonged use of your oils. This type of vaporization is a good choice for larger areas, overnight use and safe around children.
Fragrance rings are a easy and cheap way of using essential oils. These rings hold a few drops of essential oil and are placed on top of a light bulb. After sitting on the bulb, these become very hot, so be sure to turn off your light and allow it to cool off before removing.
A plant sprayer or atomizer may also be used to disperse fragrance into a room. Place 4 drops of essential oil into 1 cup (250 ml) of warm water and pour into a sprayer. Shake the container well and spray. Avoid spraying over wooden furniture.
One of the oldest forms of treatment. There are many different systems of massage, but the basic principle is to stimulate all of the organs as well as the circulation of the blood and lymph, thereby clearing toxic build up and blockages in the body. We recommend consulting a book or practitioner on the techniques of massage.
For stress-related conditions, the following oils are recommended for use during massage: lavender, chamomile, rose, jasmine, neroli, bergamot, geranium, frankincense, and ylang ylang. Good sources of carrier oils include sweet almond, sunflower, grapeseed, and coconut oil.
Either cold or warm compresses are effective tools to aid in common discomfort. Cold compresses are used primarily to relieve pain as a result of an injury or wound such as a bump or bruise, headaches, migraine as well as to reduce swelling or fever. Hot compresses help improve circulation, abscesses, and reduce muscular aches and pain, and other internal conditions (cramps, arthritis, and gout).
To make a compress, add several drops of the essential oil or oil blend to a bowl of water. A maximum of 6 drops to 1 cup (250 ml) water is recommended. Immerse a clean piece of flannel or absorbent cotton, or washcloth into the bowl. Remove and squeeze any excess water from the cloth and apply to the affected area.
Refresh the compress regularly as needed until the pain or swelling subsides.
Gargles are great for sore throats, mouth ulcers, strengthening the gums or as a mouthwash. Use 1 to 3 drops of essential oil to a glass of warm water. Be sure to disperse the oil by mixing the oil and water well before using.
Warning: Be careful not to swallow the blend.
Essential oils should not be applied neat to the skin (directly on the skin without dilution with a carrier oil or water) because they are very concentrated. Some oils may cause irritation or a burning or tingling sensation when applied undiluted. There are a few exceptions - lavender and tea tree. Please read the information provided with each essential oil before determining to use an oil neat.
Essential Oils are simple and easy self-help tools in the prevention and treatment of common problems. It is helpful to have a small selection of the most useful essential oils and carrier bases for use in the home. Many essential oils are wonderful for first aid as well as bath oils, perfumes, or room fresheners. An essential oil kit can be very valuable not only in the home, but also at work or when traveling on vacation.
The most invaluable essential oils to have available are: lavender, tea tree, rosemary, Roman chamomile, and peppermint. The most important selection of vegetable base or carrier oils include: calendula cream or oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, and wheat germ oil.
These can be used effectively through steambath, compresses, inhalation, steam inhalation, neat application, or gargle.
Information provided by AscendingLight on aromatherapy oils and blends is does not guarantee complete or accurate information. The information should be considered educational only. AscendingLight does not give medical advice. Consult your doctor or trained aromatherapy practitioner before using.
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