August 10, 2000 Aromatherapy: Essential Oils And Their Uses
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Aromatherapy: Essential Oils And Their Uses

Important Guidelines for Using Essential Oils

To ensure that you get the maximum benefits of aromatherapy without any negative effects, follow the guidelines below. If you're pregnant, have high blood pressure or have epilepsy, or will be out in the sun, make sure you're aware of the essential oils to avoid, depending on your condition.

1. Most essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin. (When mixed with a carrier oil or when added to a lotion, they're okay.) Lavender, tea tree, lemon, sandalwood, jasmine, and rose are some of the exceptions to this rule. Again, always check with a professional before applying an essential oil to your skin that you haven't used before.

2. When using aromatherapy on children age six to twelve and the elderly, cut all doses in half. For example, if a recipe calls for two drops of peppermint, use one drop. Most practitioners don't advise using essential oils on infants.

3. Keep oils away from mucous membranes and eyes.

4. Never take essential oils internally. Some can be extremely dangerous to your health.

5. If you have sensitive skin, test oil on a small patch of skin before using.
Wait 24 hours. If irritation, redness, itching, or burning occurs, take it as a hint that you shouldn't use it.

6. Store oils in colored glass bottles. Light can affect the potency of the oils; plastic is porous and can result in the essential oils dissipating. Keep bottles tightly capped and store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

7. Always research contraindications of an essential oil. For example, some oils should not be used by pregnant women or by those with high blood pressure. Check out our list of essential oils to avoid for general guidelines.

What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for therapeutic uses. It has a long history of use in ancient Egypt, China, and India. In the West, Aromatherapy is thought to have begun when a French chemist, Rene Gattefosse, applied lavender oil to a burn on his hand. Noticing that the burn healed quickly and left no scar, he began studying the healing effects of plant oils. In 1928, he coined the term aromatherapy.

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated volatile and aromatic materials contained within plant cells. They are believed to play a role in protecting the plant from disease and are sometimes referred to as the plant's immune system.

Essential oils are found in all parts of plants, including seeds, bark, root, and flowers. They are derived through physical processes such as distillation (the process of repeated evaporation and condensation which produces a purified liquid) or expression (the process of squeezing the essential oils out).

How does aromatherapy work?
Many people assume that aromatherapy is just about scents. While scents do play an important role in the science, there is much more to it than nice-smelling oils. When applied to the body or inhaled, essential oils work on three different levels: pharmacological, physiological, and psychological.

Pharmacologically, the essential oils enter the bloodstream, where they interact with the body's chemistry. On a physiological level, essential oils affect the body's systems, producing a stimulating or sedating effect, for example. Psychologically, we react to the scents of the essential oils.

What can aromatherapy do?
Heal Existing Conditions
 Aromatherapy promotes emotional, physical, and spiritual healing. It can help relieve everything from colds to headaches to insomnia and can help increase energy, erase tiredness, and even soothe anxiety.

Prevent Illnesses
In addition to healing conditions that already exist, aromatherapy can also be used preventatively. According to some practitioners, it balances and increases the well-being of both the mind and the body, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a disease developing.

While aromatherapy shouldn't be used in place of traditional medical treatments, it's a terrific complement to them, just make sure to check with your doctor first if you're being treated for anything, since certain essential oils may aggravate certain conditions such as epilepsy, high blood pressure, and pregnancy. And of course, before you use any essential oils, read through the safety guidelines and precautions section to make sure you know how to use essential oils appropriately.

How do I use it?
In Lotion
 Essential oils can be added to a fragrance-free lotion and be applied as usual after a shower or throughout the day.They can also be used in a massage.

In Carrier Oil Carrier oils, also called base oils, are oils derived from vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fruits. They are used to dilute essential oils before they are applied to the skin or added to bath water. Common carrier oils include apricot kernel oil, avocado, borage, grapeseed, jojoba, olive, safflower, sesame, sweet almond, and sunflower. Hazelnut, peanut, and soya oils can also be used.

A quick rundown of some of the different carrier oils and what they're good for:
Apricot Kernel Oil: This oil is good for skin-care products and for all types of skin, especially sensitive and aging skin.

Avocado Oil: This nourishing oil contains vitamins and fatty acids, making it beneficial to all skins. Good to use as part of a facial oil blend.

Grapeseed Oil: This super-light oil is ideal for body massages.

Jojoba Oil: This oil is nourishing for the skin and hair.

Sweet Almond Oil: This nourishing oil is good for massage, bath, body, and skin-care products, plus it has no scent.

Wheat Germ Oil: This oil is high in vitamins, minerals and protein, making it great for the skin.

Others: Borage, olive, and sesame oils are thick and nourishing oils.

In a Diffuser
There are many different types of diffusers available. Candle, electric, and fan diffusers are most common. Check out the list below to learn about the different types.

Candle diffusers consist of a votive candle with a small dish above the candle. How to use: Simply add a few drops of the desired essential oils and then light the candle. The heat from the candle helps the scent permeate the room.

Electric diffusers work the same way, except that the source of heat is a light bulb. How to use: Add a few drops of essential oil and then switch it on. The heat from the light bulb helps the scent permeate the room.

Fan diffusers involve a fan and cloth pads. How to use: Place a few drops of essential oil on cloth pads and then turn on the fan. The blowing action of the fan disperses the scent into the room.

Light bulb rings work similarly to diffusers, with the light bulb acting as the source of heat. How to use: With the light turned off, place the ring over a light bulb. Place a few drops of essential oil in the grooves and turn on the light. The heat from the light bulb will help the scent permeate the room.

Other methods include adding a few drops of essential oils to a small bowl of water and placing it on a radiator.

In the Bath
Essential oils can be added directly to the bath, but for best results, add them to a carrier oil first and then add them to bath water. This ensures that the oils will be evenly distributed and that the undiluted oil won't get on your skin. Another option is to add the essential oils to the carrier oil, apply the mixture to your body, and then step into the bath.

Steam Inhalation
Breathing in essential oils is a speedy way to get them into your system.

Hot or Cold Compress
Compresses are an excellent choice when using essential oils to relieve pain or reduce inflammation, according to The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Element Books, 1995).

To make a hot compress, fill a bowl with hot water and add 4 or 5 drops of essential oil. Dip a folded piece of cloth (cotton, cotton wool, or a washcloth work best), squeeze out excess water, and place the cloth on the affected area. Leave on until it has cooled, then dip into water again and repeat. Hot compresses are good for backache, rheumatism, arthritis, earaches, and toothaches.

To make a cold compress, follow the instructions above substituting ice cold water for hot water. Great for headaches, sprains, strains, and other hot, swollen conditions.

Spritzer
Essential oil spritzers are great for a quick pick-me-up any time of the day. Stash them in your desk, bag, or purse so that they're always on hand.

Undiluted
Some essential oils can be applied directly to the skin (this is also referred to as a "neat" application). These include lavender, tea tree, lemon, sandalwood, jasmine, and rose.


A Short List of Essential Oils and Thier Uses

Allspice: Pimenta dioica
Warm and sweet, clove like fragrance providing a spicy scent. Uses: Warming, comforting, enhancing the senses.

Anise: Pimpinella anisum
A rich sweet scent . Uses: promotes cheerfulness, a mild euphoric.

Bergamot: Citrus bergomia
From a Citrus fruit with a floral yet fruity scent. Uses: normalizing, uplifting and it can help build confidence.

Bitter Almond: Prunus spp.
Uniquly almond scent. Uses: strenthening, and enhancing the senses.

Black Pepper: Piper nigrum
A unique scent that produces individule reactions. One of the oldest spices uses. Uses: invigorating, warming and vitalizing.

Cedarwood, Red: Juniperus virginiana
A woody scent, with a well-rounded, harmonizing effect. Uses: supportive, meditative.

Chamomile:
· German - Matricaria chamomilla
 Sweet, apple like and warming. Uses: soothes, relaxes and calming.
· Roman - Anthemis nobilis
 Uses: relaxing and replenishing.
· Wild - Ormenis multicaulis
 Provides a sweet undertone. Uses: soothes, relaxes and calming.

Cinnamon: Cinnamomum zeylanicum
A spicy, fresh, yet earthy. Uses: refreshing and vitalizing

Citronella: Cymbopogon nardus
Grassy yet lemony and light. Uses: purifying and vitalizing.

Clary Sage: Salvia sclarea
Sweet and musk-like. Uses: relaxing, euphoric and balancing.

Clove: Syzygium aromaticum
A fruity yet spicyness. Uses: warming.

Cypress: Canarium luzonicum
Pine needle aroma that is refreshing. Uses: purifying and balancing.

Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus globulus
A unique scent almost everyone recognizes. Uses: purifying and invigorating.

Fennel Seed: Foeniculum vulgare
A warm spicy scent, anise-like. Uses: restorative and warming.

Fir, Balsam: Albies balsamea
Evergreen scent, a natural scent of forest. Uses: harmonizing and spiritual uplifting.

Frankincense: Boswellia carterii
A Lemonny-pepper scent that doesnŐt linger. Uses: meditative and relaxing.

Ginger: Zingiber officinale
Light and lemonny scent. Uses: warming, to some invigorating, anchoring, gives strength.

Grapefruit: Citrus paradisi
An uplifting citrus scent with a tang. Uses: balancing and cheering.

Jasmine Absolute: Jasminum grandiflorum
A rich honey-like sweetness use in perfumes. Uses: exotic, romantic, calming, relaxing

Lavindin: Lavandula intermedia
Similar to Lavender, a fresh, camphoraceous scent. Uses: purifying and gently activating.

Lavender: Lavandula angustifolia
A classic scent that has been used for generations, a sweet, floral aroma. Uses: calming, soothing and easing.

Lavender, Spike: Lavandula latifolia
Has a camphoraceous, Lavender scent. Uses: purifying and slightly invigorating.

Lemon: Citrus limon
Light, fruity scent. Uses: uplifting and refreshing.

Lime: Citrus auratifolia
Has a tangy, fruity-citrus scent. Uses: cheering and resfreshing.

Myrrh: Commiphora myrrha
It has been used as an incense for thousands of years. Uses: centering, meditative.

Neroli: Citrus aurantium
From the flowers of the bitter orange, a deeply citrus sweet smell. Uses: calming and soothing.

Nutmeg: Myristica fragrans
A spicy earthy scent used in perfumes. Uses: rejuvenating, uplifting.

Patchouli: Pogostemon cablin
A deeply earthy, slightly sweet, with a tartness, a rich scent. Uses: exotic, sensual, soothing, calming, grounding.

Peppermint: Mentha piperita
A widely used scent. Uses: cooling, vitalizing, refreshing, stimulating.

Pine: Pinus species
Rich forest scent that deodorizes and is pleasing. Uses: refreshing and soothing, to some it is calming.

Rose Absolute: Rosa centifolia
Sweet, deep, lingering scent, used often in perfumes. Uses: uplifting, romantic, supportive.

Rose Otto: Rosa damascena
Immensely rich, floral scent, one of the oldest scents, used in perfumes. Uses: romantic and gently uplifting.

Rosemary: Rosmarinus officinalis
An intense aroma, woodsy, fresh. Uses: invigorating, warming, clarifying.

Rosewood: Aniba rosaeodora
Woody, spicy and floral smell. Uses: gentle, strengthening, calming.

Sage: Salvia officinalis
A herbaceous, fresh, earthy scent. Uses: cheering, clearing, soothing and warming.

Sandalwood: Santalum album
An ancient scent used in spiritual ceremony. Uses: centering, connecting, relaxing, sensual.

Sweet Basil: Ocimum basilicum
A floral green scent with a bit of spicyness. Uses: uplifting and clarifying, energizing, refreshing energy.

Tangering: Citrus reticulata
Delightful cirtus scent. Uses: cheering and uplifting.

Tea Tree: Melaleuca alternifolia
A warming medicinal, light scent that is used in many body care items. Uses cleansing, uplifting.

Wintergreen: Gaultheria procumbens
Fresh minty aroma that doesnŐt linger. Uses: refreshing and invigorating.

Ylang Ylang: Cananga odorata
ItŐs known as the flower of flowers, a rich floral, sweet aroma. Uses: euphoric, sensual, alluring.



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