Enhancing Infrared Sauna Experience With Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a fantastic way to enhance your infrared sauna experience. Essential oils have been used in every culture and period in human history, and they can be used to invigorate, improve your mood, relax, promote better sleep, or just ease your mind. The use of essential oils in the sauna has increased in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. Each essential oil is used depending on your health objective. For example, if you're looking for a relaxing and calming effect, lavender is the ideal choice. Citrus scents like lemon, grapefruit or orange provide a refreshing aroma and boost energy but are best avoided in the evening. Cinnamon oil is great for muscle soreness and birch oil is the answer to reducing joint and muscle pain. To use aromatherapy in an infrared sauna, you can use a cordless diffuser, create a special sauna spray, or put a few drops on a small washcloth and hold it to your face.

Use a cordless diffuser on the sauna floor

Using a cordless diffuser on the floor of your infrared sauna is a great way to get the benefits of aromatherapy alongside your sauna experience.

Cordless diffusers are portable and convenient, allowing you to use them anywhere. They are also very easy to use and can be tailored to different modes depending on your needs. The battery life on these devices can last a long time, with some offering up to 40 hours of use on a single charge.

When using a cordless diffuser in your infrared sauna, it is important to use high-quality essential oils. Reputable brands like Young Living and DoTerra are well-sourced and often organic. Quality oils will come in dark glass jars with proper detailed labelling.

You can create your own blends of essential oils to achieve different therapeutic effects. For example, you can combine wild orange and peppermint for alertness, or lavender, vetiver, and chamomile for relaxation.

Remember to always dilute your essential oils before use, as they are highly concentrated. You only need one or two drops to create a beautiful smell and achieve the desired effects.

By using a cordless diffuser on the floor of your infrared sauna, you can safely enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy and enhance your sauna experience.

Create a special sauna spray with one part vodka/witch hazel to three parts water, then add 10-15 drops of oil

Adding aroma to your infrared sauna can be a great way to enhance your experience and boost your health. Essential oils and aromatherapy have been used in almost every culture and time in human history, with a plethora of options to choose from, each with its unique benefits.

To create a special sauna spray, you will need to mix one part vodka or witch hazel with three parts water. This mixture will act as a carrier for the essential oils, helping to disperse them throughout the air. It is best to use distilled water instead of tap water, as tap water contains impurities that can cause bacteria growth over time.

For the alcohol component, vodka is recommended as it is odourless, allowing the essential oils to shine through. If you prefer an alcohol-free option, you can use witch hazel, but be aware that it has a scent that may come through in the spray.

Once you have your vodka or witch hazel and distilled water combined, it's time to add your essential oils. For this mixture, you will need 10-15 drops of your chosen oil or oil blend. Secure the lid tightly and shake well before using.

When choosing your essential oils, it is recommended to avoid oils that are naturally "heating," such as ginger, black pepper, oregano, or marjoram. Instead, opt for oils with complementary cooling effects, such as peppermint, lavender, citrus, or eucalyptus.

• Alertness: Wild orange and peppermint (1:1 ratio)
• Relaxation: Lavender, vetiver, and chamomile (1:1:1 ratio)
• Muscle soreness: Peppermint and eucalyptus (1.5:1 ratio)
• Fatigue: Wild orange and frankincense (1:1 ratio)
• Calming: Frankincense and bergamot (1:1 ratio)
• Seasonal support: Lavender, peppermint, and lemon (1:1:1 ratio)
• Respiratory health: Bergamot, patchouli, and ylang-ylang (1:1:1 ratio)

Remember to store your sauna spray in a cool, dry place and always shake well before using. Enjoy the wonderful fragrances and therapeutic benefits of your creation!

Put a few drops of oil on a washcloth and hold it to your face

Adding essential oils to your infrared sauna session can elevate your experience and provide a complementary health boost. However, it is important to know how to use essential oils safely and effectively.

One way to safely inhale essential oils during your infrared sauna session is to put a few drops of oil on a washcloth and hold it to your face. This method of diffusing/inhaling the oil is safer than applying it directly to your skin due to the heightened temperature of the skin and the openness of the pores in the sauna.

• Choose a high-quality essential oil: Quality oils are typically more expensive and come in dark glass jars with proper detailed labelling. Reputable brands are well-sourced, often organic, and have a standardized distillation process. Some recommended brands include Young Living, DoTerra, and Blue Marble Botanicals.
• Prepare the washcloth: Take a small washcloth or hand towel and dampen it with water.
• Add the essential oil: Place a few drops of your chosen essential oil onto the damp washcloth. Be sure to start with just a few drops, as you can always add more if needed.
• Hold the washcloth close to your face: Sit in your infrared sauna and hold the washcloth close to your face, inhaling the aroma deeply. Take slow, steady breaths and allow the fragrance to fill your senses.

Remember to avoid using "heating" oils such as ginger, black pepper, oregano, or marjoram in the sauna, as they can add too much heat. Instead, opt for oils with cooling effects, such as peppermint, lavender, citrus, or eucalyptus. You can also create your own blends by combining different oils to achieve specific therapeutic effects, such as alertness, relaxation, or muscle soreness relief. Always allow your oils to cool to room temperature before use and store them in a cool, dry place.

Add a few drops of oil to the sauna water bucket

Adding a few drops of essential oil to the sauna water bucket is a simple and effective way to enhance your infrared sauna experience. This method is best suited for traditional saunas and steam saunas, but can also be used in infrared saunas. Here are some detailed instructions on how to add essential oils to your sauna water bucket:

• Choose the Right Essential Oil: Consider both the fragrance and therapeutic properties of the oil. For example, eucalyptus and peppermint are great for respiratory health, while lavender and chamomile are known for their calming and relaxing effects. Choose an oil that aligns with your desired outcome for your sauna experience.
• Dilute the Essential Oil: Always dilute essential oils before adding them to the water bucket. Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to a bowl of water and place it on the sauna stove. The heat from the stove will help release the fragrance and therapeutic properties of the oil.
• Use High-Quality Oils: Opt for high-quality, pure essential oils that are specifically designed for use in saunas. Avoid oils that contain synthetic fragrances or other potentially harmful ingredients. Reputable brands, such as Young Living and DoTerra, offer well-sourced and organic oils with standardised distillation processes.
• Use in Moderation: A little goes a long way with essential oils. A few drops of oil are usually enough to create a pleasant and effective fragrance in the sauna. Using too much oil can be overpowering and potentially irritating to the skin and respiratory system.
• Check for Allergies: Before using a new essential oil, always perform a patch test to check for allergies. Apply a small amount of diluted oil to your skin and wait a few hours to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions.
• Exposure Intervals: When pouring the diluted essential oil mixture onto the heated sauna rocks, use exposure intervals or breaks. Aim for intervals of 10 to 15 minutes to avoid overstimulation or potential irritation.
• Avoid Undiluted Oils on Hot Rocks: Never splash undiluted essential oils directly onto the hot rocks of the sauna. This can be a potential fire hazard and can also damage the sauna. Always dilute the oils in water before adding them to the sauna.

By following these instructions, you can safely and effectively add a few drops of essential oil to your sauna water bucket, enhancing your infrared sauna experience with wonderful aromas and therapeutic benefits.

Use a spray bottle with one part distilled water and four drops of oil

Adding essential oils to your infrared sauna session can elevate your experience by providing complementary health benefits. Essential oils can aid in reducing stress, relaxing muscles, improving sleep quality, and enhancing your mood.

To use essential oils in your infrared sauna, it is recommended to use a spray bottle with one part distilled water and four drops of oil. This method is ideal for infusing the air with the scent of the essential oil and its therapeutic benefits.

• Purchase a small glass spray bottle from a drug store. Opt for a dark-coloured glass bottle to protect the oil from light degradation.
• Prepare your spray by adding one part distilled water to the bottle. Alternatively, you can use a 1:3 ratio of vodka or witch hazel to water, which will act as a carrier for the oil.
• Add your essential oils of choice. For this ratio, it is recommended to add around 3-5 drops of essential oil per 4 ounces of liquid. You can also create blends of different oils to achieve specific therapeutic effects. For example, combining wild orange and peppermint oils in a 1:1 ratio can promote alertness, while mixing lavender, vetiver, and chamomile in a 1:1:1 ratio can enhance relaxation.
• Secure the lid on the bottle tightly and shake well before each use.
• Mist the spray into the air periodically or spritz it onto a hand towel to enjoy the aroma.
• Store your essential oil spray in a cool, dry place when not in use to maintain its quality.

When choosing essential oils, opt for reputable brands with proper labelling and sourcing information. It is best to avoid "heating" oils like ginger, black pepper, oregano, or marjoram, as these can be too stimulating in the sauna's already heated environment. Instead, opt for cooling oils like peppermint, lavender, citrus, or eucalyptus.

By following these steps, you can safely enjoy the wonderful fragrances and therapeutic benefits that essential oils have to offer in your infrared sauna.

Frequently asked questions