The use of Aromatherapy for relaxation is ancient in it's usage.Here are some tips for creating a relaxing atmosphere at home or work.
First be sure to use only therapuetic grade essential oils. You can tell if the essential oils are therapuetic by reading the label. You should see a certification such as EOBBD or organic cert. Should you find an Essential oil lacking the certification DO NOT buy. The lack of certification is a signal of a less than pure oil.
Second unless you have training in the use of essential oils skin test before you apply them to yourself or others. Use a drop of essential oil apply to the forearm area and check for redness, rash or swelling. If these symptoms appear discontinue use.
Now for the fun part!!
Stress is a huge stealer of happiness and bliss.
To recreate happiness and bliss follow these simple steps.
Breathe. Okay I know breathing should come naturally. Seriously, when we are under stress or pressure. we hold our breathe or breathe very shallowly. So breathe. While your at it why not breathe in an essential oil, say Lavender. Most people love the smell of lavender, but for those who prefer another scent you may want to try Chamomile. Think Chamomile tea. Try Rose or Sandalwood for a change.
For men you may find Cedarwood, Marjoram, or Frankincense more to your liking.
Simply inhale the scent of choice, focus on positive thoughts and images and relax. AHHH!!
Another great way to relax is to use the same essential oils in a bath. Add up to 10 drops of the essential oil to bath salts, milk or a carrier oil like avocado, almond, grapeseed, swish in a warm tub tub of water, sit back and relax for 20 minutes. Amazing!!
The Essential Oil of Lavender is one of the most widely used and versatile oils, due to its wide range of uses.
Lavender has been used for its purifying and soothing powers. You will often find Lavender used in products for fragrance, cleansing and moisturizing.
The following is a list of common uses:
Circulation - May help lower blood pressure. Also useful for bruises, cuts, scraps, burns, sores, stretch marks.
Digestive - Stimulates the gastric juices, and increases intestinal mobility. Often used for upset stomach, heart burn, flatulence, diarrhea, colic, nausea.
Emotions - Calming,relaxing,and refreshing. Great for depression, headache, insomnia, restlessness, moodiness. Helps clear the head.
Genito-urinary - Stimulates urine production, good for cystitis. Hormone balancer.
Muscles/joints - Helps relieve achiness and tension. Good for sprains, strains and rhuematism.
Respiratory - Good for throat infections, cough, asthma, sinus congestion, allergies
Skin - Lavender has antiseptic properties so it can be used for cuts, scraps, burns, wounds. Also good for acne, wrinkles, dermitits, psorisis. May be beneficial for athletes foot, insect bites, itching.
As you can see Lavender really is very versatile.
The methods of application include: Diffusion, inhalation, topical, massage, bath.
My personal favorite ways to use lavender are for cuts, burns, creating calmness, and relieving achiness. I enjoy lavender in a bath.
Recipe for Bath
4-5 drops added to bath salts, mix well then add to bath water.
You may enjoy Cleopatra's favorite type of bath by adding 5 drops Lavender to milk or cream then add to bath water.
Lavender is considerd one of the safest oils to use but as a precaution for children, keep out of their reach and away from your eyes.
Please be sure to use only Therapuetic grade essential oils. Look for E.O.B.B.D. certification.
Aromatherapy is by definition a true form of holistic therapy. Aromatherapy addresses physical as well as psychological challenges.
How can you use aromatherapy at home to achieve holistic benefits?
How can you address the whole body, mind and emotions?
I want to share some very simple techniques that you can use daily.
First purchase high quality essential oils. Do not be fooled by the inexpensive essential oils that you will often find in health food stores. There is the old cliche, "you get what you pay for". This is really true with essential oils. Read the label. You should find reference to the country of origin, type of distillation, botanical name, and if the oil is organic, certified, or wild crafted. Now let's face it, the tiny bottles don't have much space for all that information. This is where the internet can be a real tool. Research the company. Most companies will have a web site that gives you detailed information about the above criteria. Should you not be able to find the information, walk away from that essential oil. I would rather see you buy from a true, legitimate source, than waste your money on junk!!
Now that you have your essential oil from a high quality source what do you do with it?
Many books written on this subject will have you believe that essential oils are dangerous if you apply them to the skin or ingest them. Not always true. Let's take peppermint for example. Most books have cautions for peppermint that I think are simply silly. They will tell you don't ingest peppermint. That is a little crazy since peppermint has been used in pharmaceuticals for a long time to help with digestion. The caution that I stick by with all essential oils is "A little goes a long, long way". Peppermint for example is so concentrated that one drop is equal to 20 cups of the herb in tea. So you wouldn't sit down and drink 20 cups of tea would you? No. So instead of overdosing on a good thing you dilute the oil in an emulsifier, like honey, or carrier oil like olive oil. Next application to the skin. It is true that people have allergic reactions all the time. So do a simple skin test to determine if the essential oil will cause a reaction. If it does, well then don't use it.
OK now we have all that out of the way let's use the essential oil to achieve holistic results.
Inhalation: affects the body, mind and emotions through the sense of smell., traveling to the brain centers and exiting via the lungs.
Application: Affects the bodies largest organ the skin. Enters the blood stream through the capillaries, and exits through the kidneys. Also is picked up by the sense of smell.
Ingestion: Affects the body through the mouth, into the digestive system and is processed through the liver. Also picked through the sense of smell.
Each of these mehtods by themselves can achieve great results, however combined they create a synergy contributing to the holisitc approach for health that is the BEST!!
Here is a word of caution. I have to say this to protect you. I have been using essential oils for over 11 years. I am certified as an Aromatherapist and have an extensive background in the use of essential oils. I am very comfortable with the usage of essential oils and you probably are not.
PLEASE!!
Do not use an essential oil if you are not sure of how to use it, or when to use it,or if to use it, or where to use it.
Contact me or another qualified Aromatherapist for suggestions.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is intended for information purposes only. The statements have not been approved by the US FDA, AMA, or any US agency. This information should not be used to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease. Always consult your health care practitioner before making any changes.
