- Getting Started With Aromatherapy
- Easy Ways to Enjoy Essential
Oils
By Misty Rae Cech, ND
 Beginning
'bona fide' aromatherapy, beyond burning a scented candle or
soaking with a pleasing pre-packaged bath salt blend, can be
a little daunting to many people. All those little bottles of
pricey liquids, electric contraptions, and fancy-sounding blends
- how does one actually use essential oils to improve their health,
happiness and well-being? It's easier than one might think -
getting started can open a whole new world of fun and effective
natural remedies that can lift your mood, calm your nerves, and
support healing of a great many common ailments.
The basics of aromatherapy are
simple, once a few fundamental concepts are understood. Aromatherapy
is the practice of using essential oils - the aromatic compounds
of plants, extracted through steam distillation or other methods.
The oils act as the chemical messengers and protectors of the
plant kingdom. Each essential oil can contain hundreds of different
'volatile' (easily evaporated) compounds, most of which are very
compatible with the physiology of the human body. What's so wonderful
is they can also do for us what they do for plants - act as chemical
messengers through affecting our smell sense and limbic system,
and defending the body against foreign invaders by their anti-bacterial
and anti-viral actions. In this article, we'll focus on the mental
and emotional effects of aromatherapy, and address the physiological
aspects at another time.
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Essential oils are best used in
one of two simple ways: through inhalation, where the oils can
directly affect certain areas of the brain, and through topical
application, where the oils are easily absorbed into the bloodstream.
(Note: Oral ingestion can be an option, but only under experienced
medical supervision - further, SOME OILS CAN BE TOXIC, and other
even seemingly harmless oils should not be used under certain
conditions. If you are pregnant, or have specific medical needs,
consult a knowledgeable practitioner before continuing!) |
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Inhalation of Essential Oils
Essential oils when inhaled directly
effect our limbic system, the brain's emotional centers. Many
oils have been found to sharpen concentration, reduce tension
and anxiety, and even reduce depression. How can we reap these
magnificent benefits? There are a few simple, cost-effective
ways to prepare essential oils for inhalation - and experience
these wonderful effects: the 'handkerchief method', making your
own 'smelling salts', and making your own aromatherapy 'mister'.
The handkerchief method is pretty
straightforward - put a drop or two of an oil or blend on a tissue
and inhale (careful with some oils though - peppermint, for example,
can burn the sensitive skin around your nostrils if put in direct
contact). You can even leave the tissue (or 'handkerchief, or
piece of cloth, or cotton, or whatever) in a room or your workspace
and the oil will continue to evaporate and have its effects.
Making your own 'smelling salts'
is similar, though your preparation will last a while longer.
To make the salts, fill a small vial (dark glass with a good
cap is best) with natural sea salt and drop essential oils into
the salt. The amount of oil is not too critical - enough that
there is detectable aroma, and not so much that the salt gets
completely wet. Just unscrew the cap and inhale from the bottle
whenever you need a lift, or, like the handkerchief, leave the
vial open in your space, letting the aroma slowly fill the area.
A 'mister' can be used infuse
a room with aroma - just add essential oils to water in a small
spray bottle, shake (before each use) and spray!
Here are a few easy recipes for
the inhalation method (Note: in all recipes, the number of drops
of oil and/or amount of carrier can be used as a ratio, which
you can increase or decrease as you need):
For uplifting the mood and brightening
the mind - 4 drops of Rosemary Cineol, 3 drops of Lavender, 2
drops of Lemon and 1 drop of Peppermint, OR 3 drops Clary Sage,
2 drops Bergamot and 1 drop Sweet Orange.
For calming anxiety - equal parts
of Roman Chamomile, Bergamot and Orange, OR 3 drops Lavender,
2 drops Neroli and 1 drop Bergamot.
For creating a harmonious atmosphere
- 3 drops Jasmine, 1 drop Ylang Ylang and 1 drop Sandalwood,
OR equal parts Geranium, Patchouli and Bergamot.
Aromatherapy Massage
Now for the topical application
method. Usually this is described as aromatherapy massage - ideally,
this is done with a partner, but self-massage will work as well.
Creating your own massage oil is a straightforward process -
just dilute 10 - 20 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier
oil. There are a variety of carrier oils available, though Sweet
Almond is a great all-around oil and is recommended for general
aromatherapy massage. As for the massage, itself, any technique
will do - let your intuition be your guide. When you wish to
get a little more advanced, do a little further research to create
synergy with certain essential oils and certain acupressure points.
The same blends for inhalation
can be used for massage, though here are a few more fun recipes:
For a sensual massage, per ounce
of carrier oil, add - 8 drops Sandalwood, 6 drops Rose, 4 drops
Lavender and 2 drops Ylang Ylang.
For opening the heart, try 4
drops Spikenard, 4 drops Lavender and 2 drops of Rose.
Finally, for sheer relaxation,
use 6 drops Lavender, 4 drops Neroli and 2 drops Bergamot.
Don't be afraid to create your
own blends! You will certainly find particular oils that you
enjoy - and aromatherapy is like that. It is the oils you find
most enjoyable that are likely those that are most effective
for you. My only recommendation is to change the ratios of oils
you are blending very slowly. Start with one drop of each oil
in a small vial, mixing them and allowing a few minutes for them
to blend before adding more oil 1 drop at a time. In general,
citrus oils ( Orange, Bergamot, Lemon, Lime) tend to bring alertness
while calming at the same time. Herb oils (Peppermint, Rosemary)
tend to be invigorating, while floral oils tend to be relaxing
(Lavender, Chamomile, Jasmine, Neroli). This is only a guideline
- many oils have complex properties and will affect individuals
differently - use your nose as a guide.
Conclusion
Getting started with aromatherapy
is easy, and with these simple ideas, you will be able to create
essential oil preparations tailored to your needs and enjoyment.
This can lead to a lifelong appreciation of these wonderful gifts
from nature. |
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