It’s now recognized in more medical fields that with a strong mental attitude, it’s sometimes even possible for a person to cure disease in their own body. Stress and emotional factors are now recognized as important factors in the development of disease. Aromatherapy is the touch of the massage and the smell of the essential oils. It’s one of the greatest treatments available for stress and the emotions.
The properties of the essential oils release our inner feelings and open our minds. It’s no accident that so many of the essential oils regarded as antidepressants are the product of summer flowers. They evoke warm, sunny days and have happy associations.
The touch of massage eases tired muscles and is associated with feelings of relaxation. This help release tension, anxiety, and stress, bringing a sense of calm and total well-being.
Aromatherapy is a supportive therapy, which helps people cope with any type of illness. It’s very useful for treating the physical symptoms of stress. Receiving smells and massage the promote relaxation helps the brain to maintain the body’s balance so that organs can function efficiently. Make sure you choose essential oils that are pleasing to you, or you won’t gain any benefit from them.
Skin-Patch Test:
If you have very sensitive skin or any allergies, it is best to test any essential oil or carrier oil before using. To do it, try the skin-patch test, as follows:
Brush the inside of your lower arm (elbow to wrist) with a soft body brush.
Apply 2 drops essential oil to an antiseptic-free plaster.
Place on the inside of the forearm and leave for 48 hours.
If you are sensitive to plaster, apply oil neat (straight) to the skin and cover with micropore tape and bandage.
Sensitivities to essential oils tend to show up quite quickly, which carrier oil allergies and sensitivities can take several hours to appear. If any redness, swelling, or blistering occurs, this is a positive result, and you should avoid that oil. Also, be sure then to test future prospective oils.
Treating an adverse reaction:
If an adverse reaction occurs, one or more of the following steps should be taken:
Wash skin gently with fragrance-free soap to remove oils from the skin.
Expose the skin to the air (NOT sunlight) to encourage evaporation of at least some of the oils.
Apply a mild corticosteroid cream, which is a standard medical approach.
Buying oils:
Pure-quality essential oils are not easy to find and using synthetic or perfumed oils can cause skin sensitivity. Try to find a reputable mail-order company or retail outlet that not only sells essential oils but that can also offer substantial help and advice on their safety and use. Bottles labeled “Aromatherapy Oil” usually contain essential oils that have been blended in a grapeseed oil. They may seem inexpensive, but you are really receiving only 5-10 drops of actual essential oils! These are NOT recommended blends! They do NOT have the holistic healing properties of the pure-quality essential oils. Some of the best places to get these products will be from a health food store or a metaphysical store. You can also find many places online. If you need resources, please ask me!
Storing oils:
Chemical degradation is the process by which the quality of the essential oil is reduced over a period of time. It typically occurs due to oxygen, heat, and light. It’s important to store essential oils in dark, airtight bottles away from heat and light. Undiluted oils should be used within a year of opening and stored in a cool, dark place, preferably in a box. Always buy them in a dark glass bottle, never in a clear glass bottle. If they are stored in the correct manner, they will last up to two years. The except is citrus oils, which only last about 6 months, or one year if kept cool.
Blending massage oils:
Essential oils should always be blended in vegetable-based carrier oils. Never put neat (straight) essential oils onto the skin.
1.) For adults, add up to 6 drops of essential oil to 15 ml (1/2 fl. oz.) vegetable carrier oil. Use either a single oil or one of the synergistic blends that will benefit the particular condition you want to treat.
2.) To make a suitable massage oil for children under 12 years old, add 2 drops of essential oil to 20 ml (3/4 fl. oz.) vegetable carrier oil.
3.) For children under 3 years old, add 1 drop essential oil to 50 ml organic sunflower oil. Organic sunflower oil is best, because other vegetable carriers generally come from nuts or seeds, which can be allergenic to young children and babies.
Bathing:
Taking a bath:
1.) Run a warm bath; add up to 4-6 drops of your favorite essential oil, either a single essential oil or a synergistic blend.
2.) If you have dry or sensitive skin, add the synergistic blend to 10 ml (1/5 fl. oz.) of unscented foam or milk based (can be obtained from any good supplier of aromatherapy products), which will help disperse the essential oil. *personally, I think this is a better idea, as the oils can hang onto the top of the water and not actually soak into you, but it’s up to you whether or not you want them to cling to you or not! I think they can burn you, which is a bad idea—I think they are better in a carrier product.
3.) Allow yourself to soak in the bath for at least 10 minutes, giving time for the essential oils to penetrate the body and relax and soothe you.
Bathing babies and children:
1.) For children under 3 years old, mix 1 drop of essential oil with 10 ml (1/5 fl. oz) unscented bath milk base to help disperse the essential oil and not leave any globules of oil lying on top of the bath, which can cause irritation to young, sensitive skin.
2.) For children under 12 years old, run a full bath and mix in 2 drops essential oil to 10 ml (1/5 fl. oz.) unscented bath milk base.
**CAUTION: Avoid splashing water in the face/eyes.
Taking a shower:
Add 6 drops essential oils or synergistic blend to 50 ml (2 fl. oz.) of unscented shower gel, and use as normal. DO NOT add essential oils to commercial scented shower or bath preparations, as this could cause a reaction to your skin. You can buy unscented bath preparations from any good supplier of aromatherapy products.
Using a hand or foot bath:
Blend 5 drops of essential oil to 10 ml (1/5 fl. oz.) unscented bath milk base, and add to a bowl of warm water or a spa. Soak the hands or feet for 10-20 minutes.
Using oils in a sauna:
Mix 2 drops essential oils with 600 ml (1 pint) water and throw it onto the heat source in the usual way. DO NOT use any more than 2 drops essential oil, since some oils can make your eyes water if the portions used are too strong. **CAUTION: DO NOT use citrus oils in a sauna if you are going straight to a sunbed, as they are phototoxic. They will cause your skin to blister or burn!!
Steam Inhalation:
A simple way of inhaling oils is to put 1-2 drops of neat essential oil onto a handkerchief or tissue and inhale when required.
Steam inhalation, in which steam vapors are breathed in thru the nose, is very useful for relieving colds, headaches, and congestion. For safe and effective steam inhalation, follow these instructions:
1.) Place 600 ml to 1 L (1-2 pints) of warm water into a bowl.
2.) Add 2-6 drops of essential oils (use either a single oil or a synergistic blend).
3.) Put a towel over your head and over the bowl, close your eyes, and inhale the vapors deeply through your nose for about a minute.
4.) DO NOT put your face too close to the steam, as this could cause you to burn your skin or eyes.
5.) Repeat several times a day as needed.
If preferred, you can use a facial steamer instead of a bowl. Follow the same directions with regards to number of drops and time.
CAUTION: Do not use this method or dab neat oils onto the skin or clothes of young children or babies. The oils are too strong and can cause a serious reaction!
Vaporizing:
There are several ways of vaporizing essential oils to create a perfumed atmosphere in a room.
Essential oil burners:
These generally consist of a ceramic or metal pot with a small reservoir or container at the top. The small reservoir is for holding water; this helps stop the pot from overheating. A nightlight candle is lit and placed inside the burner. Sprinkle up to 10 drops essential oil into the water. The heat from the flame vaporizes the aroma from the essential oils into the air. DO NOT place carrier oil into the reservoir! It will heat the oil and cause a serious burn if spilled.
Diffusers:
These are electric units specially designed for safety and use with essential oils. Up to 12 drops of essential oils may be added, and when plugged in and working, they don’t overhead. If you want to provide fragrance in a room for the young or elderly, always use a diffuser rather than a ceramic or metal pot.
Humidifiers:
A saucer of water with up to 12 drops of essential oils placed on top of a radiator will act both as a vaporizer and as a humidifier.
Room sprays:
Fill a plant spray bottle with 300 ml (10 fl. oz.) warm water and add up to 10 drops single essential oil or a synergistic blend. Shake before use.
Perfume:
Blend a carrier oil with a synergistic blend. Pour the blend into a bottle and use as you would a normal perfume.
Using Compresses:
A compress is a pack of cloth or gauze pad, usually dampened with hot or cold water, that is pressed firmly again a part of the body to relieve discomfort. As it is applied only to a small area or part of the body, a stronger blend can be used. For adults, up to 10 drops of essential oil can be blended with 20 ml (3/4 fl. oz.) of a vegetable carrier oil.
1.) Gently massage the part of the body that is causing discomfort or pain with the massage oil blend.
2.) Place a warm or cold compress on the area massaged and leave for 30 minutes. Use a warm compress for aches and pains; use a cold compress for inflammation, fevers, and sprains.
