Aromatherapy
Smell is the most under used & therefore underdeveloped of our senses..
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If
we take a little time to develop our sense of smell we can use it as a
valuable tool to transport us to another level, place or time. As our
frame of mind can affect our health, smell could be a very under valued
& often overlooked way to improve many aspects of life in general. Memory association is used widely in Aromatherapy. Essential oils can be used as an anchor to put people into a relaxed, calm, happy, loving or even energetic frame of mind. Simply inhaling essential oils can have countless effects, differing according to an individual's life experiences. Babies recognize their mothers by smell. Animals always smell their food before eating. When you are particularly happy , close your eyes and take a mental note of the smell. You can diffuse essential oils to enhance the feeling & create a better tool. You can do this to harness feelings of success, emotion, love, happiness, excitement, relaxation... |
| Aromatherapy
is the art of using essential oils
in many varied ways to improve your health & well being. There are
countless ways to do this. Massage is usually the first thing people think of in conjunction with Aromatherapy. Many Aromatherapy products are based around massage. Gentle rhythmic movements combined with beautifully fragrant oils are a powerful way to affect your body and mind. Bathing is a simple & easy to incorporate Aromatherapy into your life. Essential oils impart their therapeutic properties through the skin with warm water & through the nose via steam. This can affect you physically and emotionally. Diffusion of essential oils can dramatically change the atmosphere in a room whilst cleansing & purifying the air. Many essential oils are also very effective insect repellents. |
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Massage To use oils for massage you need to make a blend. Blends are often talked about in Aromatherapy because they are the most commonly used method of applying essential oils. A blend is mixture of essential oils & a carrier oil which is used to dilute them. The general rule of thumb is a total of 5 drops of essential oil to either 10ml or a dessert spoonful of vegetable oil. See tips and blends for more information. |
| Bathing Essential oils can be used neat in the bath but for babies or people with sensitive skin you should dilute them first in a teaspoon of vegetable oil or milk. This also increases their moisturizing effect. Approximately 6 drops of pure essential oil can be used in the bath so if you are using two or 3 different oils only use 1 or 2 drops of each. For children over 2, halve the amount & for babies use only 1 drop of Chamomile or Lavender. Put the oils in after the water has run to prevent evaporation & put them in at the tap end to avoid sitting on them. Be particularly careful with citrus oils & cinnamon as they can cause skin sensitivity in the bath. It is advisable to dilute these oils before adding to the water, as described above.
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Inhalation Put 6 drops of essential oil into a bowl of hot water. Make sure it is not so hot as to burn the face. Cover your head & the bowl with a towel and inhale for 10 minutes. This is not recommended for asthma suffers. Oils such as Eucalyptus, Pine, Niaouli & Peppermint are useful for inhalation. If you want to use this method to steam the face for skincare, use flower oils such as Rose and Neroli. |
| Vaporization One of the best methods of vaporizing oils is in a ceramic burner. Add 4 drops of essential oil to water in the bowl and heat with a nightlight beneath. Other option is to use an electric vaporizer It works like a standard burner, but without the heat of a naked flame. This makes it safer to use, which is especially important when children are nearby. |
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Diffusion
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| Compress Hot compresses can be used for tummy cramps & muscular aches. Cold compresses for sprains & headaches. You can usually tell instinctively which is needed. Fill a bowl with the hot or cold water & add approximately 6 drops of essential oil. The oils will float across the surface of the water. Place a cloth on the water & gather up the oil. Wring & place on the affected area. Replace hot compresses when cool. |
| Neat
Application Lavender & Tea Tree essential oils are often used neat on burns, cuts, stings and spots. Only a single drop is needed in these cases & it is sometimes easier to use a cotton wool bud to apply them. |
| Neat
Inhalation For an instant pick me up carry a hanky with a few drops of essential oil on to inhale periodically . You can also tie a hanky with essential oils on it around a hanger. This will fragrance clothes and deter insects. |
| Blending A blend of essential oils & a carrier oil can be made to massage into the face or body. For general use on the body, use 5 drops of essential oil in a total of 10ml or a dessert spoon of carrier oil such as grapesed or almond. For face oils & young children halve the amount of essential oil & for babies use only 1 or 2 drops. |
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Rinse Take a glass of warm water & add 4 drops of essential oil to it. Pour over your hair for a final rinse or add to the final rinse of your hand washing. ( Be careful not to get into your eyes). |
| Perfume Dab 1 drop only of Rose, Jasmin or Neroli essential oil to your wrist or behind your ears for a haunting, natural perfume. You can dilute the oils in alcohol or vegetable oil if you wish. When expensive oils like Rose run out, pour a little Jojoba into the empty bottle & it will take up the remainder of the oil. You can then use this as a perfume. |
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