The Perfect Bath - Using Aromatherapy Bath Oil at Home

by Chris Stauffer

Aromatherapy bath oil relieves stress, anxiety, tension and pain naturally. They were once considered a new-age hippy thing, but these days health professionals everywhere are agreeing that they have proven medical benefits. And you don't have to go to a day spa to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy bath oils; you can enjoy them right at home.

All About Essential Oils

The main ingredients are "essential oils," which are extracted from plants. These oils contain natural healing properties which have been used for centuries as folk medicines. By extracting tiny quantities of these oils, we can make use of these properties in a number of ways.

Some of the most common essential oils include rosemary, eucalyptus, hemp, lemongrass and mint. Lavender, basil and chamomile are known as great stress relievers. Other oils, like valerian, are good for relieving muscle tension. These oils all help to relieve stress, but some have other benefits as well, such as allergy relief, better digestion, better sleep, and even many benefits nobody knows about yet.

Make Your Own Aromatherapy Bath

There are lots of ways to enjoy aromatherapy bath oils. You can put oils in candles and let the breeze fill the room. You can make tea. Or, you can simply take a handkerchief, dunk it into the oil of your choice, and take whiffs of it. One of the best aromatherapy methods for stress relief is the bath. You can make your own aromatherapy bath, and the process is simple.

The first step is choosing a good essential oil. Go to your local whole foods or natural health store and see what they have to offer. A good oil to start with is lavender. This is a proven stress-buster, and it's one of the most popular aromatherapy oils. You can always ask the staff to help you choose a good first essential oil.

Fill a jar or container with an ounce of regular bath oil. This can be any standard store-bought variety. Add a tiny bit of essential oil. It shouldn't be much. Essential oils are strong, and too much can be harmful. Try putting in 10 drops. Now, shake the mixture and add it to your bath.

With just ingredients bought from the store, you can enjoy an aromatherapy bath any time. This is a great stress reliever after a long, busy day. Try different kinds of essential oils and see which ones you like best.