Aromatherapy essential oils can be used in a variety of ways to reduce symptoms and enhance well-being. By all means, have fun trying out different ways of using them, but if you wish to get benefit from their therapeutic properties, consult with a qualified Aromatherapist who will be able to guide you safely towards the method most suitable for you personally . Essential oils are toxic and have the potential to be harmful and even fatal to you so they are to be used with caution. Be aware of how to store essential oils correctly, find out whether they have a use by date, always keep them out of reach of children and if you are pregnant seek advice prior to using them.
Applying Essential Oils to the Skin
Before using aromatherapy essential oils on your skin, always perform a skin-patch test as a precaution. Essential oils need to be diluted prior to applying them to the skin and in general between one and three per cent of essential oil will be blended into a carrier oil of some type. Test the carrier oil initially without the essential oil blended into it and then test the blended formula prior to applying the treatment to affected areas of the skin. If a single drop left unwashed on skin of the inner arm for 24 hours goes unnoticed then you can be assured that you will not be allergic to the treatment. If the patch test is successful then the most preferred method of applying essential oils to the skin is via massage. This method allows the oils to be soaked directly through the skin and into the blood stream with optimum therapeutic benefits. Opt for a full body massage for an all-over treatment or simply massage those affected areas of discomfort as and when you feel the need.
If you don’t like carrier oils you can always add a drop of your chosen essential oil to your favourite lotion or cream that you apply daily, or to mud facemasks or body scrubs. If you wish to ease a specific pain or discomfort then you create your own hot compress. Simply add a few drops of essential oil to either hot or cold water, dip a facecloth into it, and squeeze out the excess water. Hold on to the affected area until the cloth becomes cool. This method will help any muscle pain or inflammation. By far the easiest and most beneficial method of using essential oils however is to add a few drops of any formula you blend to a warm bath. This lets your skin absorb the oils whilst also inhaling the aroma, all whilst you relax! Be careful though if you use carrier oils in the bath as they make the tub slippery.
Inhaling Essential Oils
It is not always necessary to apply essential oils directly to the skin. Adding a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser provides a quick and efficient method of enjoying the therapeutic benefits. You can freshen up your environment and serve to lessen the chance of infections spreading amongst the family whilst you inhale the benefits! If you don’t have a diffuser, simply add a few drops of your formula to a bowl of hot water or to the melting wax of a burning candle, although be aware not to allow any flammable essential oils to touch the burning wick (Rose, J. 1999). Add a few drops to water and you have your own home made room spray; shake well before each use though as essential oil and water will separate.
Essential oils can be added to items like cotton balls, which can then be placed in an area of choice: under a rug to vaporize a room perhaps, or into a drawer to keep items stored fresh. You can even add a drop of essential oil to your laundry or dryer to freshen your clothing/towels or bedding. Either way, these methods enable you to inhale the therapeutic benefits whilst enjoying the aromas.
The basic thing to remember when inhaling essential oil aromas is that a little essential oil will go a long way, so don’t get too carried away! If the concentration of essential oil in the air becomes too high you may experience headaches or nausea, and don’t forget that inhaling aromatherapy essential oils can affect your emotional state and alter your mood. If you dislike the aroma of the oil you are using, then listen to your senses and find an alternative.
Ingesting Essential Oils
It is suggested that essential oils can be ingested. This method is the subject of ongoing controversy, and currently registered Aromatherapists in Canada, the UK and Britain do not advocate for this method.
References
Rose, J. (1999) “375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols”. Frog Ltd. North Atlantic Books, PO Box 12327, Berkeley, California, 94712.
Worwood,V,A. (1996) “The fragrant mind”. New world library, Novato, California.
Barbara Greenwood - Barb Greenwood hails from England where she worked in Special Needs Health Care. Already a Registered Massage Therapist, she became ...
Join the Conversation