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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.

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