Introducing Aromatherapy – Just the Basics
Monday, 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
Technorati Tags: aromatherapy, aromatherapy essential oils, essential oils
Related Tags: No Tags
Possible Related Posts
