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Aromatherapy Tips for the Weary Traveler

July 2nd, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, the sheer effort of the trip can be draining on your body and spirit.  Road construction, airport delays, crowds of people, or just the idea of sitting in the same spot for several hours can all be very fatiguing.  Aromatherapy essential oils have a variety of uses to help ease the pain and suffering of travel.  Keep in mind that many oils need to be diluted before use, so either bring along a bottle of your favorite carrier oils or pre-dilute them prior to your trip.

Business trips are a guaranteed source of stress.  You may be meeting with clients, giving presentations, holding business meetings, etc.  lavender, peppermint, marjoram, and neroli oils may all be helpful with you.  marjoram and lavender oil massaged into your skin after a warm bath can help relieve jet lag.  Inhaling neroli oils can help with nerves before a big presentation.  A drop of peppermint and a drop of lavender oil massaged into your forehead, temples, and neck can help reduce headaches.  A few drops of lavender oil on your pillow can help you sleep.  peppermint tea can help relieve the indigestion associated with traveling and eating on the run.

Traveling with children can be an adventure all in itself.  Calendula oil, lavender oil, chamomile, tea tree oil, and peppermint may all be useful to you.  A drop of lavender or peppermint oil in a tissue can help ease motion sickness.  Inhaling lavender oil can help your child relax enough to get some sleep in the car.  If you apply some to yourself, your baby will get the effects as you carry him or her around with you.  lavender oil can also work as an insect repellent.  Calendula, lavender, and chamomile are all good for cuts and bruises, and Aloe Vera or lavender can help ease the pain of sunburn.

If you are trying to get away for your honeymoon or a romantic weekend you may want to bring along some essential oils to help enhance the mood.  Both rose and jasmine oil are considered useful for romance.  A drop of each can make a nice personal perfume.  Or consider a single drop of ylang ylang for something more seductive.  You can add a few drops of either into your bath gel or water or use as a massage oil to help enhance the mood as well.

If mixing oils together sounds like an awful lot of work to add to the stresses of traveling, consider products that have taken the work out of it for you.  Shopping online or at your favorite health store, you can find plenty of products that are as ready to go as you are.  Aromatherapy lotions, soaps, and other personal care products are an easy addition to your suitcase in place of your traditional ones.  A plug in diffuser or a room spray can spruce up a hotel room in no time.  Eye masks, motion sickness bands, and other treatments are prepared and ready for purchase.  Or you can get travel sizes of your favorite oil blends to help cut down on the mess and amount of bottles that you carry.

When traveling with essential oils, make sure that they are packaged securely for your trip.  Nothing will be worse than a few leaky bottles to make your luggage smell to high heaven!  Make sure that all oils are packaged in shatter resistant bottles that are tightly capped.  Individually sealing them into plastic storage bags can help ensure that if a bottle should break or leak, it will not get onto everything in your suitcase.  If you normally use candles or things that plug in, then check with your hotel about outlet requirements and use of candles in the room.

A Clean Home is One with Good Scents – Housekeeping Tips, Aromatherapy-Style

June 25th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Keeping your house clean using aromatherapy can have a myriad of benefits outside of just having a clean home.  Since aromatherapy uses selected oils to give off scents that help change a mood or promote healing, you can get these effects by using cleaners, air fresheners, or scented candles as well.  Plus, you can get some good results around the house by making a few small changes in your cleaning routine.

If you enjoy having plants inside, you can use aromatherapy to help them.  Mix 6 to 8 drops of the oil mixture in a gallon of water to mist your plants with.  Equal parts of lavender and thyme oils will help protect your plants.  Thyme oil will help you to grow healthier cabbage and cauliflower.  Basil oil is beneficial to broccoli, potatoes, and tomatoes.  You can also use yarrow oil for cucumbers, chamomile oil for onions, and carrot extract for lettuce to help encourage your kitchen garden.

To make furniture polish that can be used on all wood finishes, add two tablespoons of soap dissolved in two cups of boiling water and one cup of melted beeswax.  Add 10 drops of cedar wood, Cyprus, or sandalwood oil as well.

To save on expensive scented laundry detergent or fabric softeners, add a cloth sprinkled with two drops each of bergamot, lavender, neroli, cedar wood, petit grain, and sweet orange oils into the dryer.  Your clothes will come out smelling fresh.

If you have bug problems, you can use aromatherapy to help solve them.  Add 6 drops each of lavender, lemon grass, citronella, and peppermint oil to one cup of water and spray around the room.  It will help keep away mosquitoes, ants, and cockroaches and be pet and child safe.

Pets can benefit from aromatherapy.  Mix together citronella oil, cedar wood oil, garlic, and clothes freshener and put a few drops on your pet’s collar.  It will help repel fleas without harming your pet in the least.

During the cold and flu season, you can help protect your family with aromatherapy.  Mix together Eucalyptus, thyme, rosemary, tea tree, and lemon and marjoram oils.  Then add six drops to a cup of water to create a room spray, or add 4 to 9 drops to the water of a humidifier to spread throughout your home.

For a cleaner and bathroom refresher, mix lemon, bergamot, lavender, sweet orange, oregano, and thyme oils.  For a freshener, add eight drops to a liter of warm water.  Or put two to three drops on a wet sponge and use to wipe down surfaces as a cleaner, adding more to the sponge as necessary.

For mice and other pests, put a few drops of undiluted peppermint and spearmint oil near living areas, the edges of the ceiling, and any holes.  This will drive the pests from your home.

If you do not feel like putting for the extra effort to create your own household cleansing products, there are several manufactured products available for sale out there.  If you want the real benefits for essential oils, you will have to read labels to ensure that you are getting the oils and not just the fragrances.  You may also have to do your shopping online or at a health store to find exactly what you are looking for.  Expect to pay more for alternative products than you would for traditional cleaners, as the oils can vary greatly in cost.  Or, you can continue to use your everyday cleaners and refresh your home with the variety of candles, incense, diffusers, potpourri, and room sprays that are available for purchase.  Either way, your home will end up smelling fresh and inviting to all those who visit there.

If your interested in learning more about Aromatherapy have a look at Learn the Power of Aromatherapy  

Aromatherapy for Dogs!!

March 6th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

I recently came across the book Aromatherapy For Dogs by Tracey Peapell. When I first read the title of this book I thought ‘how the heck can I use Aromatherapy for my dog?’ ‘Do you light an oil burner and get your dog to sniff it?’ Crazy I know so I was intrigued. Turns out there are many ways your dog can benefit from the power of Aromatherapy. What is Aromatherapy anyway? Well the author explains it in very simple terms along with a brief explanation of how essential oils are extracted from plants and flowers. This book is a very easy, informative and educational read with pictures throughout. It teaches you blends you can mix yourself to alleviate conditions like arthritis and rheumatism, fleas, ticks, skin problems, bad breath, anxiety and nervousness and many more.

Along with those aromatherapy tips there are blends to improve your dogs coat, stop lethargy and boost your dogs energy levels.  There are also blends to simply rid your carpet and dog bedding from that all too familiar ‘doggy’ smell. Not all oils are good for dogs and the book covers those to avoid. The author also shares her own and her friends experiences with aromatherapy making it a very entertaining read. All in all, a good concise 39 page book packed with ideas to improve the health and happiness of your dog. Have a look for yourself here.

Alternative Aromatherapy Just May Be Going Mainstream

February 7th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

When alternative medicine practices first came on the scene in the United States, the majority of the medical community scoffed. While some forms of aromatherapy have been in use for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, there has been little scientific evidence that they actually work. Now, however, with a growing following and more practical scientific evidence, the trend may be to start including aromatherapy in treatments for different ailments.

Aromatherapy is used in a variety of different fashions. Concentrated plant oils can be massaged into the skin, inhaled, or added to bath water. In theory, the smells trigger the limbic system in the brain. This is supposed to produce a range of therapeutic effects, from relaxation to pain management.

Traditionally, aromatherapy has been used to treat a wide range of conditions. These include stress, anxiety, headaches, asthma, and cancer. History on aromatherapy shows that is has been used since medieval times for everything from promoting courage to helping insomnia to determining one’s true love.

As of yet scientific evidence is inconclusive as to how effective aromatherapy is, and how much is just a placebo effect. Some research has shown positive results. Aromatherapy has been shown to help reduce agitation in people suffering from Alzheimer’s, and another study showed evidence that some oils could help prevent epileptic fits. Many people swear by the tension-relieving effects of aromatherapy, though no scientific link has been made to any direct effect on the brain.

Some groups have started to look specifically at how alternative therapies like aromatherapy can be integrated into mainstream care. One such group is the National Center of Complimentary and Alternative Method. Their goal is to integrate alternative medicine into practical mainstream use. For example, the use of aromatherapy as a pain management tool from patients recovering from surgery. Complementary medicine is therapies that are used together with conventional medicine. Alternative medicine is used to replace conventional medicine, such as using regulated diet and herbs in place of pharmaceutical drugs. Groups like NCCAM strive to combine the traditional medical therapies with those complimentary and alternative therapies that have scientific evidence to back up their safety and effectiveness.

In early 2001, the group held a conference in London to discuss goals and the practicality of integrating nontraditional therapies into the mainstream. Among the attendees were lead investigators and spokespeople of integrative medicine and research from both the United States and the United Kingdom. The goal was to share knowledge and discuss the development of complementary and alternative medicines in such ways that would best benefit the medical community.

While the two countries did have differences of opinions throughout the conference, they were able to find common ground and discuss progress and findings with each other. The general movement was away from competing for patients between the two types of healing towards a unity and cooperation that would enhance quality of life for patients. More and more doctors are becoming open to the idea of using alternative therapies in conjunction with medical treatments, and are starting to successfully incorporate both traditional and nontraditional methods into their practices.

Aromatherapy usage is not limited to the human medical field either. Veterinarians are also taking a look at nontraditional therapies to aide our faithful furry companions with their ailments as well.

As doctors become more away of alternative therapies and scientific evidence continues to back up their use, it is highly likely that we will start to see a more holistic approach to medicine in general. This will likely generate an increase in the use of aromatherapy, essential oils, herbs, acupuncture, and the like in every day treatments for a variety of discomforts.

If your interested in learning more about Aromatherapy have a look at Learn the Power of Aromatherapy or have a look at Kalyx.com Aromatherapy

Amateurs Beware – These Essential Oils Should Not Be Used

January 10th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Essential oils are aromatherapy tools that have been shown to have benefits for some people. However, if you do not know what you are doing they can be potentially dangerous. Here are some things to know about using essential oils safely.

First, it is important to understand that essential oils are very potent, as they tend to be extremely concentrated. Undiluted oils should not be applied directly to the skin as they can cause a burn. They are also absorbed through your skin, so applying too much could result in an overdose.

As with all drugs and herbs, essential oils should be stored out of the reach of children. Accidental ingestion could be toxic, as could be the effects of absorbing the oils through the skin. Store essential oils in childproofed cabinets well out of your child’s reach.

Be cautious to not get any of the oils in your mucous membranes. Always wash your hands thoroughly after use. You might also consider getting disposable latex gloves for when you are working with pure essential oils to avoid getting any in contact with your skin.

Essential oils are not designed to be taken internally. Even a small dosage could be toxic or fatal if ingested. If accidental ingestion occurs, contact your poison control center immediately. Make sure that all bottles are placed well out of reach of children and pets and are properly labeled to avoid confusion.

Before using a new essential oil, you should do a patch test for allergies. Aromatherapy products, such as lotions and creams, can be tested by applying a small amount to your arm. When working with pure essential oils dilute them by mixing one drop with ½ tsp of vegetable oil and apply to your arm. With either test, if the area where you applied the oil turns red, burns, or becomes itchy, you may have an allergy. You should wash the area thoroughly and discontinue use of the product.

Overuse of essential oils can have side effects as well, the most common being headaches and/or dizziness. Be careful not to exceed the recommended amounts. If you are making your own products such as lotions, candles, or bath salts do your work in a well-ventilated area, and take frequent breaks to go out for fresh air.

Different lifestyles and health conditions can be affected by essential oils as well. If you are concerned at all about interactions, speak with your primary care doctor.

If you like to tan, avoid oils that increase your sensitivity to sun. These include citrus oils such as bergamot oil and grapefruit oil.

If you have liver or kidney disease, always speak with your doctor prior to using essential oils. The oils that are absorbed into the skin make their way to the bloodstream, where they are cleared from your body by the liver and kidneys. If you use essential oils frequently, or if you already have compromised liver and/or kidney function, this can cause damage to these organs.

Some medications may also interact with essential oils. Particularly true is the case of sleeping pills or sedatives. These can react with essential oils that are designed to relax, such as chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm. Always check with your doctor about possible interactions prior to use.

Another concern is if you use aromatherapy oils around pets. Some essential can be toxic and even fatal if a dog or cat ingests them. Since most pets are much smaller than their human counterparts, even a small dosage can be lethal. Read all labels and store all products well out of the reach of your family companion.

If your interested in learning more about Aromatherapy have a look at Learn the Power of Aromatherapy

Introducing Aromatherapy – Just the Basics

January 5th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Aromatherapy has been used for many centuries all across the world in less formal ways than what we now consider aromatherapy. What aromatherapy is, is using scented oils to improve not only physical health but also mental health and well-being. Aromatherapy can offer solutions for problems as varied as high blood pressure and insomnia. While essential oils can be used in many ways, some of which include ingesting essential oils, these alternative uses of essential oils do not fall under the domain of aromatherapy; as its name implies, aromatherapy refers only to uses of the oils that are associated with breathing in highly concentrated scents. With that being said, there are lots of ways in which aromatherapy can be done.

Aromatherapy can be as simple as making your house or your bedroom or even your office, smell like an aroma that is going to influence you in some way. For example, if you have trouble going to sleep at night, using a linen spray that is infused with a calming essential oil scent can greatly aid in the process of going to sleep. Scents that can help in this way are lavender and chamomile, among others; everyone has their own preferences, and aromatherapy essential oils come in just about any scent you can imagine, so finding one that relaxes your senses shouldn’t be a problem. Likewise, if you find yourself feeling drowsy at work or are having trouble focusing, you might try more stimulating scents in your office.

The ways to make an entire room smell of an essential oil are varied. One of the most popular ways is by placing a few drops of essential oil in a carrier oil and letting it warm up over a tea light candle. These special burners can be found in many home decoration shops and the heat element is what releases the scent of the essential oil into the air. Another heat source in every room is light bulbs. Where essential oils can be bought, metal diffuser rings can also be bought that you simply place inside the lamp shade, on the light bulb. When the light is on, the heat from the light bulb will cause the scent to move throughout the room, creating an overall atmospheric scent. If you need a more immediate or more controllable result than that, you can opt for diffuser sprays that you make yourself. You can mix one or more essential oils with water in a spray bottle and simply spray it wherever and whenever you need it.

For more concentrated uses, aromatherapy can be administered through a steam facial, through a bath infused with essential oils or through massaging with carrier oils infused with a few drops of essential oil. For instance, putting a few drops of tea tree oil into a bowl with steaming hot water and placing a towel over your head and neck while you lean over the bowl can treat congestion. While this can also be done without the drops of tea tree, the effect is magnified by the inclusion of tea tree oil. A bath is always an enjoyable way to benefit from aromatherapy, as is a nice massage if you have a partner or someone who can massage the oil into your skin. Always dilute essential oils, either with a lot of water (for steam or bathing), or with a modest amount of carrier oil (for massaging). Essential oils are extremely potent substances and should never be used in their ‘raw’ form; diluting them in oil or water will ensure that you stay safe while reaping the benefits that aromatherapy has to offer. If your interested in learning more about Aromatherapy have a look at Learn the Power of Aromatherapy

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