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Safety First when Handling Aromatherapy Oils & Diffusers

August 22nd, 2011    Subscribe To Our Feed

Aromatherapy can be very beneficial for many people, but there are certain safety instructions people should follow when handling aromatherapy paraphernalia, such as essential oils. First when handling essential oils it is important to avoid contact with the skin, because it may cause irritation. It is important to wear latex gloves and protective glasses when handling essential oils. Essential oils should also never be applied directly to the skin. The oils must be diluted with carrier oil before being applied to the skin. They must be diluted with a good quality carrier oil such as jojoba, almond or olive oil, and should contain 3 percent of the essential oil and 97 percent carrier oils.

There are also some safety rules to remember when using diffusers and oil lamps. Diffusers and oil lamps need only 2-3 drops of essential oil to scent a room for several hours. The cup should be filled more than half way with clean water, than the drops of essential oil should be added. The candle should be lit in the burner after the oil is added. The oils may be highly flammable, so it is important to be careful when using an essential oil lamp. Essential oils should also be kept away from babies and children. Essential oils that are undiluted should not be used on babies up to three years old. The oils that are used on children should be used at a fraction of the usual concentration when being used on children. Oils should also be stored in high places that are unreachable by children.

Pouring essential oil directly into bath water without diluting them with a carrier oil is also not recommended. The use of undiluted oils in bath water can cause severe skin irritation. It is also important to never ingest essential oils that are intended for external use. Essential oils should not be taken internally, unless under the guidance of a professional, who has received the training for that specific mode of administration. Most professional aromatherapists are not trained in the internal ingestion of oils, so consumers should make sure they are fully qualified before getting that sort of treatment. Certain aromatherapy materials should also not be swallowed or added to recipes and beverages, unless the product is labeled as food grade material.

Aromatherapy paraphernalia should also be avoided during pregnancy. If a woman wants to receive aromatherapy during pregnancy, it is best that she seeks the advice of a physician. A doctor may approve the use of aromatherapy for certain pregnant women, but the therapy should only be used in the first trimester of pregnancy. The essential oils should only be used at 1 percent concentration, which is half of their normal strength. There are certain essential oils that should be avoided completely during pregnancy, which include Camphor (cinnamon camphora), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), Sage (Salvia officinalis), and Savin oil (Juniperus sabina).

It is also important to avoid phototoxic essential oils if you have a history of cancer. Aromatherapy paraphernalia should be stored away from heat and light sources. Many of the products used in aromathherapy are flammable, so they should never be put near a flame, fire, or a source of ignition. Ultraviolet light may also be harmful to essential oils as it may degrade them. Aromatherapy can be very helpful, but there are certain guidelines that consumers must follow to ensure the best experience. Following safety instructions can help consumers get the most from the aromatherapy. It is common for many people to skip the safety instructions, but when handling aromatherapy paraphernalia it is important to incorporate all of the safety guidelines into the treatment.

Six Main Ingredients Used in Aromatherapy

June 7th, 2011    Subscribe To Our Feed

The most essential thing in aromatherapy is the scent itself. Aromatherapy usually uses pure essential oils and mixes them especially for the treatment that is being administered. Buying a scented hand cream that smells nice is not considered buying aromatherapy products. In order to do aromatherapy, you will need a few things, the most important thing being the scent.

Pure essential oils, higher quality will give better results. Don’t get duped into buying giant size bottles; essential oils are extremely concentrated and you only need a little bit to go a long way. Buying a larger bottle (more than 1 fl. Oz.) simply means that by the time you get to the bottom of your bottle (it will be years!) the oil will not be as potent as it was at purchase. Go for small bottles of high-quality oils. Check out the symptoms and treatments that are associated with each essential oil; buying based on your nose is okay if you’re buying them to scent your house, but if your looking for some medicinal value, read up on it first!

Carrier oils to dilute the essential oils. Pure essential oils should always be diluted before being applied to the skin; it is never a good idea to simply douse human skin in essential oils. Good carrier oils are low in scent of their own; perhaps the favorite is almond. In any case, you should choose one that you will feel comfortable getting all over yourself, don’t choose one that feels icky to you because it just means that you won’t take the time to use it.

Water is the next most needed thing for practicing aromatherapy. Baths are a frequent relaxation device in aromatherapy in which you dilute a few drops of essential oils in a bath of warm water and enjoy the scented bath. You can also mix a few drops in a large bowl of steaming water and place a towel over your head to increase respiratory functioning and decrease congestion.

Heat is another essential for aromatherapy. What heat does is activate the essential oils, effectively pushing them into action. Essential oils mixed with cold water are only useful as room or linen sprays; if you want aromatherapy baths or steam, warm or hot water has to be used. Another way to use heat in aromatherapy is to heat undiluted essential oils either on an oil burner with a tea light candle under it or in a light bulb ring that activates the essential oil and sends its scent into the air thanks to the heat produced by the light bulb.

Knowledge is an absolute prerequisite for practicing aromatherapy. Essential oils can be bought very easily, do not require prescriptions and do not come with warning labels or possible side effects. They also do not come in bottles that have childproof caps. Before you start practicing aromatherapy, in any way, you should read a book or two from health professionals about getting the most from aromatherapy without putting yourself or your loved ones in danger. Remember that the FDA does not test essential oils for safety or efficacy.

It might sound crazy, but inner peace is also a good thing to have around if you’re getting into aromatherapy. Expecting anything to work miracles instantaneously is setting yourself up for failure. In order to benefit from aromatherapy, you have to be the kind of person who believes in positive thinking and non-pharmacological healthcare. This is not to say that aromatherapy only makes you THINK you feel better; it’s just a word of advice concerning the results.

The History of Aromatherapy

June 1st, 2011    Subscribe To Our Feed

The history of aromatherapy is a very long one! Aromatherapy, though most Americans have only heard about it in recent years, goes way back to ancient societies on the Mediterranean. Aromatherapy began over 6000 years ago in places like Greece, (what’s now) Italy, and Egypt. Although some of the initial uses of aromatherapy were more for perfuming than for healing or cleansing, the tradition has very ancient roots regardless of where exactly those roots were placed. Aromatherapy in ancient civilizations was used to perfume away body odor and other unpleasant things that people were not too keen on smelling; it’s no wonder that the use of aromatherapy was concentrated around this warm-climate area. In the first place, a lot of the plants from which essential oils are produced are plants, which thrive in such warm weather climates. On the other hand, nobody needed perfume more than people who were in the sun and heat all day. One can imagine that the problems related to body odor were less frequent and less severe in places that had colder climates.

In those ancient times, aromatherapy oils were either applied directly to the body to disguise other, unpleasant, odors, or they were added as diffusions to baths or massaging oils. These uses of essential oils began to become slightly medical when it was determined that some essential oils had cleansing and anti-bacterial properties. When this was discovered, the use of essential oils started to become more of a question of health maintenance than a question of bettering the sphere surrounding oneself in terms of the air being breathed by your neighbors. Over time, the healing properties of essential oils were discovered, but only little by little and only through anecdotal evidence.

Aromatherapy as we know it today was born in the 1930s in France. This was the birth of the term aromatherapy, meaning using scents to heal the mind and body. It’s curious because the man who coined the term did so out of amazement that lavender oil cured burns on his body without leaving scars behind. This is so interesting because that is not a typical use of aromatherapy; applying essential oils directly to the body is not the most common form of aromatherapy and many practitioners advise against it almost as strongly as they advise against ingesting essential oils. Today, the term most often applies to using the actual scent to bring about change, such as a diffuser spray changing the atmosphere in a room or in your entire house. Massaging with essential oils diluted in carrier oils is considered mainstream aromatherapy, but simply applying essential oils to one’s skin is not considered good practice.

Starting in the 1930s, people began to experiment to find out all of the various things that essential oils could either cure or mask the symptoms of. As mentioned above, such experimenting was done in an ad-hoc way, most often in the form of someone reporting their own usage and results of a particular oil. Still today, essential oils are not tested or recommended by the FDA; they are still all natural (at least the good quality ones are), but all natural does not mean that it is completely safe and it certainly does not make any sort of claim about whether or not the product will work at all for what you’re using it. It also does not tell you what the known or possible side effects of use are. Aromatherapy has come a long way in 6000 years, but nowhere near as far as it needs to in order to take its proper place among the modern medicines of the western world.

Six Savvy Ways to Utilize Essential Oils in the Home

May 31st, 2011    Subscribe To Our Feed

When you and your guest first enter your home, what is the first thing that you notice? It is probably the smell, either good or bad. If you want to make sure that you have the freshest smelling home on the block, why don’t you try using essential oils? Essential oils are easy to use, come in a wide variety of scents and are safe, all natural products. If you are new to using essential oils in your home, here are six savvy ways that you can use these handy oils in your home.

Before you start using essential oils in your home, you should know some basics. First, essential oils are highly concentrated. They are oils that are extracted from seeds, plants, trees, flowers and grasses. Because of this, they are highly flammable. When you use essential oils, you will want to make sure that you keep them away from all heat sources such as the fireplace or candles. In addition, some people are allergic to concentrated essential oils. You should never use undiluted essential oils on your skin, with the exception of lavender and tea tree oil. Also, keep all bottles of essential oils away from children and pets. They can irritate the skin and could cause danger if ingested.

Scent your home: One of the most popular ways to use essential oils in your home is to make your home smell wonderful. You can experiment with the various scents to see which one that you like best. You can also combine essential oils for a unique smell to freshen your home. In addition, you can change the mood in your home just by using the right essential oils. If you want your guest to feel relaxed and comfortable, try using lavender. If you want to invigorate, try peppermint. You can add six to eight drops of your favorite oil to boiling water. It is easy and will soon fill your home with wonderful scents. You can also add drops of essential oils to glass candleholders or tart burners to help fragrance your home.

Freshen your laundry: Did you know that you could use essential oils in your wash? You can add just a few drops of lavender or other scent to your wash cycle to get a fresh smell every time. This is especially nice for towels, sheets and other bed linens. If you do not like the idea of adding oils to your wash, you can add a few drops of your oil to a spray bottle filled with water and then you can spray the bottle directly on your linens or even your clothes. Need to freshen your rugs or curtains? You can do the same thing.

Deter insects: You can also use essential oils in your home to deter a wide variety of insects. Moths dislike lavender, so you can put a few drops on cotton balls and leave in your drawers. tea tree oil is good for detracting biting insects. You can use it on your skin as an insect repellant.

Help with colds: You can place a few drops of citrus, tea tree oil or peppermint in a humidifier or near a radiator in the winter months to help clear nasal passages. This is very helpful for allergies, too.

Cleaning: Essential oils are also great to use for cleaning around the home. You can wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces with a mixture of water and lemon, thyme, cypress or lavender. Not only will the oils help clean, but it will leave your room smelling fresh, too. tea tree oil is a known disinfectant. Use tea tree oil where you might want to kill germs lurking.

First Aid: You can also use tea tree oil to help with first aid. Add a few drops to minor cuts and scrapes to help the healing go faster. You can also use tea tree oil to treat head lice.

Boost your Outlook on Life with Aromatherapy

May 22nd, 2011    Subscribe To Our Feed

There is a lot of information out there about using essential oil in aromatherapy. That is because aromatherapy is a safe and all natural way to boost your energy, change your mood and help you relax both spiritually and physically. Essential oils are commonly used in alternative health treatments and can help stimulate the senses. Many believers of aromatherapy say that the right mixture of essential oils can actually help treat the symptoms of illnesses.

If you are new to essential oils and aromatherapy, you should know a little bit about the different kinds of oils and how to use them. You should remember is that the oils are highly concentrated. They are derived from flowers, plants, barks and seeds and come packaged as undiluted oils. Because of that, they are highly potent, flammable and should be kept away from children and pets. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should carefully consider the types of oils you want to use before you proceed. Some are not safe during pregnancy.

You can find a wide variety of essential oils and each oil will have a different scent and will also have a different use. You should never use essential oils on your skin if they are not diluted. However, if you learn how to mix these oils with an appropriate carrier, you can use essential oils on the skin for massages or in your bath tub water. When you look for a carrier, most likely, you will use distilled water. However, you can also purchase carrier creams and carrier oils from specialty shops and health food stores. These oils will be light and non-sticky and have little to no smell on it’s own.

Here are some examples of popular essential oils and how they work to help boost your mood, relax your body and enhance your physical well being.

For illness, you can use aromatherapy to help you heal. tea tree oil is a popular choice to help disinfect scrapes and cuts and treat head lice. Acne, eczema, dry skin and fungal infections such as athlete’s foot can all be treating using essential oils such as rosemary and geranium, chamomile, rose, lavender, neroli and tea tree. If you are suffering from respiratory problems, you can use a mixture of lavender, peppermint, thyme, and Eucalyptus oil. Nasal congestion can be treated with the same oils.

Did you know that aromatherapy is often used in nursing homes and for elderly people under hospice care? This is because the gentle scents can relax and help people that suffer from memory loss. rosemary, lavender, bergamot and ylang ylang are often good choices for this type of use.

Aromatherapy can have a lasting effect on everyone in your home, including young children and pets (when used safely). The right combination of essential oils are known to uplift the spirits and help with depression. In fact, if you are looking for stress relief, you can use grapefruit, basil, rose and chamomile. The same oils are also known to help fight depression. If you are having difficulty sleeping at night, try a hot bath filled with water and lavender, chamomile and neroli. These essential oils can all help relax you and help you rest better at night.

There are many ways to use essential oils in aromatherapy to help boost and elevate your mood. Experiment with the types of scents and a fragrance that you like to find what works best for you. There are many books available that can tell you which oils can be mixed in order to help you the most. You will find that aromatherapy can help you.

Common Do’s and Don’t for Aromatherapy Beginners

March 1st, 2011    Subscribe To Our Feed

Aromatherapy is used by many individuals, and although use this form of therapy may seem simple; there are some common “do’s” and “don’ts” for beginners. Knowing the do’s and don’ts of aromatherapy can help people get a better understanding of how to use it.

The first do involves researching aromatherapy. It is important for those interested in aromatherapy to read as much as possible on the subject. Certain books and Web Sites are the best sources for information on aromatherapy that may be useful for beginners. Consumers should also be wary of where to purchase the essential oils. The quality of products may vary, and it is important for consumers to be certain that they receive the best product for their money. Consumers must be sure to purchase the products that are most effective with the highest quality.

Another important “do” is to pay close attention to the region where the essential oil was purchased and harvested. There are certain countries that have higher quality products than other. Retailers will make this information available to consumers, and some may even advise customers on which regions produce the best oils. Knowing the facts about the quality of a certain region will make choosing the right oil easier. Consumers should also make it a habit of purchasing oils from well-established companies. If a company is not well established then consumers will more than likely receive a lower quality product. Oils should also be stored in some sort of glass of a dark color and in a dark cool area. Keeping the oils safe from extensive exposure to light and heat will extend the life of oils.

There are many “do’s” for aromatherapy beginners, but there are also many important “don’ts.” The first “don’t” is not purchasing perfumed oil, because they are not a less expensive alternative to essential oils. The perfumed oils have a pleasing fragrance, but they do not have the therapeutic features of essential oils. Essential oils offer a pleasant aroma as well as the therapy. It is not advisable to purchase essential oils that are stored in glass jars with a rubber sealant. The highly concentrated oils will eat away the rubber, turning it into a gum-like substance. The gum-like substance will ruin the oils by tainting them.

The third “don’t” involves paying attention to safety information. Consumers should not ignore the safety information that is inscribed on aromatherapy products. The information is meant to be in the best interest of the consumer, and should be carefully read and understood. Most of the information on the products is instructional, and may tell consumers how much of a product to use a certain time. Reading the instructions may prevent overexposure to the essential oils. The safety information may also describe in details how the oils should be diffused. Beginners to aromatherapy should also not assume that the names of the plant from which the oils are derived are the same in each botanical species. It is advisable to pay close attention to the botanical name, which is often a Latin derivative, which helps to distinguish one essential oil from another.

Two oils that are extracted from a similar plant with the same name are not exactly the same. In many cases there is a significant difference between the two. lavender, Eucalyptus, and Cedarwood are all common names, but there are many varieties of these plants, which makes a significant difference in the type of aromatherapy a person wants to obtain. There are many “don’ts” for beginners to remember, but there is another important do for them to know also. The last “do” for beginners to remember is to enjoy the experience of aromatherapy.

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