Practical Uses For Aromatherapy

Most people think of aromatherapy as a feel good spa treatment that smells nice. Actually it has a basis in science as to why it works. Plants have to fight off diseases and those properties are transferred into the essential oils derived from the plants. Read on for a few helpful aromatherapy recipes.

All of the following recipes are for adults or children at least 10 years of age or older. Please do careful research before using essential oils with small children.

Bathing

Hydrotherapy, the practice of using water for physical and emotional healing, is made all the more effective with the addition of essential oils. Read on to discover two recipes for bath time aromatherapy: one to invigorate you, and one to calm you.

To give you energy

Fill the bath tub with warm water. Make sure it’s not too warm; if it is, it may sap you of any energy you have left. You want more energy, not less! When the tub is full, add the following:

• 3 Tbsp. olive oil or other carrier oil
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 4 drops sweet orange essential oil

Swish the water with your foot to disperse the oils before stepping all the way in. This oil blend will restore your energy while helping you to feel peaceful and happy, but not anxious.

To calm you

Fill the tub with very warm water. Light a few of your favorite candles and turn down the lights if you can. Add these oils to your bath water:

• 3 tbsp. olive oil or other carrier oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 6 drops clary sage essential oil
• 3 drops chamomile essential oil
• 3 drops rose essential oil

Focus on relaxing and try not to think about the stresses of the day. Don’t forget a good book and a glass of juice or wine.

Soothing Relief for Skin Irritations

Whether you’re suffering from sunburn, irritation from shaving, or any kind of dermatitis, lavender is one of the best essential oils to use on your skin. Combine lavender with aloe, and you’ve got a powerhouse of healing literally in the palm of your hand.

• 3 tbsp. Grape seed or sweet almond oil
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. pure aloe vera gel
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 Vitamin E capsules (cut off one end of each capsule to pour out contents)

Mix well and apply to affected area as needed. Store what’s left in an amber-colored bottle. If using this on a sunburn, wait until the skin has cooled down before applying. Rubbing oils onto sunburned skin that still feels hot will keep the heat from escaping and cause the burn to worsen (this also applies to other burns).

You may want to cool the skin first with lavender water–

• 1 cup cool water, preferably distilled
• ¼ cup witch hazel
• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops bergamot essential oil

Place the above ingredients into a spray bottle, and swish around before using.

Making Colds and Flu Bearable

Remember the menthol chest rubs from your childhood? You can make your very own, without the worry of rubbing petroleum products onto your skin. The fragrance from a homemade chest rub won’t be as strong, but it has the added benefit of being absorbed into your skin and helping you from the inside out.

• 1 tbsp. carrier oil, such as sweet almond or olive oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus oil
• 3 drops tea tree oil
• 2 drops bergamot oil

Mix together and rub onto the chest and throat area. Place a small amount on your finger and rub just under the nose. It may also be placed just inside the nostrils using a cotton swab.

Young children may benefit from a couple of drops of eucalyptus placed on a cotton ball. Put the cotton in a plastic sandwich bag and let the child carry it around and breathe in the scent as needed.

If a nasty virus has been going around your family and your home smells “sick,” essential oils can also be used to purify the air. In a diffuser, place the necessary amount of water and a few drops of the essential oil of your choice.

Any essential oil that has antiseptic, antiviral, or antibacterial properties would be excellent for this purpose. Some you’ll want to try are: lemon, peppermint, tea tree, rosemary, pine, lavender, eucalyptus, bergamot, clary sage, and geranium. Use only about 6 drops maximum in your diffuser.

What kind of diffuser should you use? An electric diffuser is safest, especially around small children and pets, but you can also buy a diffuser that is heated by a tea light candle (electric diffusers typically cost quite a bit more). You can also place your oils in a pan of water and simmer it on a back burner of your stove.