Antonio Mcgowan
Aromatherapy is a holistic practice that involves inhaling or smelling essential oils, which are naturally extracted aromatic oils from plants. While there is limited scientific evidence regarding the physical healing properties of essential oils, there is growing evidence of their mood-altering effects. Aromatherapy can be done in several ways, including through the use of aroma sticks, body creams, oils, lotions, salts, and diffusers. It is important to note that essential oils should be diluted before use and should not be ingested. When using essential oils, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have any specific health concerns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to use | Aromatically (inhale or smell), topically (on the skin), internally (ingesting) |
| Aromatic use methods | Diffusing in an essential oil diffuser, applying a drop to your hands and inhaling, wearing as a personal fragrance |
| Topical use methods | Applying to targeted areas and rubbing in, adding to lotions or moisturisers, adding a few drops to a warm bath, making a hot or cold compress, adding oil to a lotion or moisturiser and then applying to the skin |
| Internal use methods | Adding to a glass of water, taking in a veggie capsule, putting a drop under the tongue, adding to water, smoothies, milk, tea, or other drinks |
| Precautions | Avoid applying oils to sensitive areas like the nose, ears, eyes, or broken skin, always read labels and package instructions, use dilution to minimise skin sensitivity, be aware of oils with sun sensitivity warnings, practice safe storage, always supervise young children when applying essential oils |
What You'll Learn
How to use essential oils with a diffuser
Aromatherapy is an ancient practice that involves inhaling essential oils to benefit well-being. Essential oils are extracted from fragrant plants like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, and are believed to provide therapeutic effects.
Using essential oils with a diffuser is a great way to practice aromatherapy and can be done in the following way:
First, choose a good location for your diffuser. Select an open area in the room, preferably not against a wall or on the floor, but near a power source. Place the diffuser on a solid surface, and protect any wooden or precious surfaces with a tray or mat as there may be some moisture emitted. Ensure the room is well-ventilated to prevent a build-up of vapour, especially if there are children or pets around.
Next, fill your diffuser reservoir with water up to the fill line. Use clean tap water or distilled water, ensuring there is always sufficient water in the diffuser. Then, add your essential oil. Add between 4-6 drops of your chosen essential oil or follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some diffusers require you to add the oil directly to the water, while others have absorbent scent pads where you apply the oil.
Once you've added the oil, close the lid of the diffuser and set your desired features, such as colour or timer. Switch on the diffuser and enjoy the fragrance. Most diffusers have an auto-cut-off function, and it is recommended to run the diffuser for about 15-20 minutes to enjoy the benefits without oversaturating the room.
After each use, remember to empty and rinse the water tank of your diffuser and wipe it dry with a clean cloth. This is especially important if you are using citrus oils, as they can damage the disc if left in the water tank.
When choosing essential oils, opt for high-quality, pure, and unadulterated oils. Look for labels that list the common name, Latin name, part of the plant processed, and how it was grown. Oils produced using "clean" distillation methods such as cold-pressed distillation or steam-distilled extraction are ideal.
Some popular essential oils and their benefits include:
- Lavender: stress-reducing, calming, helps with insomnia
- Peppermint: improves focus, boosts energy, alleviates muscle pain and headaches
- Rosemary: uplifting, improves brain function and memory
- Eucalyptus: invigorating, improves respiratory issues, enhances concentration
- Ylang-ylang: promotes calmness, reduces stress, slows breathing and heart rate
- Lemon: stress relief, mood enhancement, improves mental and physical task performance
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How to use essential oils on your skin
Essential oils are highly concentrated natural extracts from the leaves, flowers, and stems of plants. They can be used in a variety of ways to benefit your skin, but it's important to remember that they should always be diluted before being applied to the skin. Here are some tips on how to use essential oils on your skin:
- Dilution is key: Essential oils are highly concentrated, so it's important to dilute them with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil. This will help prevent skin irritation and make the oil more gentle on the skin.
- Patch testing: Before using a new essential oil, it's a good idea to do a patch test to check for any potential allergies or skin reactions. Apply a small amount of diluted oil to your inner wrist or below your ear and wait 24 hours to see if any irritation occurs.
- Areas to apply: Focus on areas of muscular pain, tightness, and tension. You can also gently rub the oil into pressure points such as your temples, wrists, and third eye. Additionally, you can use the oils to massage your feet and place a few drops around your nose.
- Adding to cosmetic products: You can add essential oils to your favourite cosmetic products, such as toners, serums, and muscle rubs. Just be sure to dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil first.
- Bath and shower: Add a few drops of diluted essential oil to your bathwater or warm washcloth for a relaxing and soothing experience. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
- Skin types: Different essential oils work better for different skin types. For example, if you have dry skin, avocado oil or cucumber seed oil can help moisturise and rehydrate your skin. If you have oily skin, hazelnut oil can help balance sebum production and improve your complexion.
- Benefits: Essential oils have a wide range of benefits for the skin. They can help improve complexion and skin tone, promote healthy sleep, relieve headaches, alleviate pain, improve respiratory health, and heal skin conditions.
Remember to always use caution when using essential oils and keep an eye out for any adverse reactions. It's also important to note that essential oils should not be ingested and should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
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How to use essential oils in a bath or shower
Aromatherapy is a holistic practice that involves inhaling or smelling essential oils, which can have many benefits for wellness and stress relief. Essential oils can be used in the bath or shower to create a relaxing and therapeutic experience. Here are some ways to use essential oils in your bath or shower routine:
In the Bath:
- Find a reputable brand of genuine essential oils.
- Always do a patch test before using a new essential oil. Apply a small amount to the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours to check for any reactions.
- Dilute your essential oil in a carrier oil, such as vegetable, coconut, olive, or sunflower oil.
- Mix 5-20 drops of essential oil per 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.
- Add the oil blend to your bath right before you get in to avoid evaporation.
- Rub the oil blend onto your skin before or while you're in the bath to help it penetrate and absorb.
- If you want a bubble bath, use castile soap or body gel along with your essential oil blend.
- You can also add essential oils to bath products like shampoo and conditioner.
In the Shower:
- Add 3-5 drops of essential oil to the wall or outer edge of your shower. The hot water will diffuse the scent.
- Add essential oils to your body wash, shampoo, or conditioner. Dilute at a ratio of 3-5% for topical application.
- Diffuse essential oils in your shower using a steam cup, washcloth, or tea ball.
- Create shower bombs, melts, or steamers with essential oils for a spa-like experience.
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How to use essential oils in a humidifier
Aromatherapy is a holistic practice that involves inhaling or smelling essential oils. It has been shown to have many benefits for wellness and stress relief. Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, including through aroma sticks, body creams, oils, lotions, salts, and diffusers.
One common question that often arises is whether essential oils can be used in a humidifier. The answer depends on the type of humidifier being used.
Using Essential Oils in a Humidifier
It is important to note that essential oils should not be added to traditional humidifiers as they can break down the machine. Traditional humidifiers use a wicking filter to absorb water and emit a cool mist by blowing water through the filter. The potent nature of essential oils can lead to the erosion of the plastic tank in such humidifiers.
However, an alternative option is to use an ultrasonic or steam humidifier, which can be used with essential oils without causing any harm to the machine. Ultrasonic humidifiers, instead of using a wicking filter, employ a nebulizer that vibrates at an ultrasonic speed, breaking water particles into an ultrafine mist. This mist is then silently propelled into the air, allowing you to enjoy the health benefits of essential oils without worry.
Steam humidifiers, on the other hand, include a heating element that boils the water, releasing the steam into the air. These are particularly useful for treating respiratory illnesses. Both ultrasonic and steam humidifiers often come with a specialized essential oil tray, ring, or filter that adds essential oil to the water mist or steam.
Steps to Use Essential Oils in a Humidifier:
- Always check the manufacturer's instructions to ensure your model is safe for using essential oils.
- Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to the humidifier's water tank. Typically, 5 to 8 drops are recommended for a 100ml tank.
- Turn on the humidifier as normal, and the scent should start to vaporize around the room.
- For best results, use a cool mist and be sure to clean your humidifier regularly.
Essential Oils to Use in a Humidifier:
- Lavender Essential Oil: Creates a calm and relaxing atmosphere, helping with anxiety, mood changes, and improving sleep patterns.
- Lemon Essential Oil: Provides a positive and uplifting effect on mood and thoughts, with a wonderfully fresh fruity fragrance.
- Peppermint Essential Oil: Offers a light and positive aroma, helpful for easing stomach cramps, IBS symptoms, and relieving cold symptoms.
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil: A strong, purifying scent that improves respiration and shifts mucus, making it ideal for dealing with colds and breathing issues.
- Orange Essential Oil: Mentally and physically beneficial, it uplifts your mood, eases anxiety and stress levels, and promotes better sleep.
By following these steps and choosing suitable essential oils, you can safely use your humidifier to enhance your aromatherapy experience and create a soothing and rejuvenating atmosphere in your home.
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Aromatherapy safety precautions
Aromatherapy is a powerful tool for improving our physical and mental health and wellbeing. However, it is important to be aware of some safety precautions before using essential oils.
Firstly, essential oils should always be diluted before use on the skin. Undiluted oils can cause severe sensitivity, irritation, allergic reactions, and even sensitization. Diluting essential oils in a carrier oil, such as coconut or almond oil, provides a protective measure and allows for better absorption. A general rule of thumb is to use a 1% dilution for children and vulnerable adults, and a 2% dilution for healthy adults.
Secondly, always research and understand the safety data for each essential oil. Some oils are highly toxic, carcinogenic, or cause skin irritation. Avoid using essential oils with sun sensitivity warnings before sun exposure, and be cautious when using oils with children, the elderly, or pregnant women. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils, especially if you have specific health concerns.
Thirdly, practice safe storage and handling of essential oils. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets, and avoid direct contact with flames as they are highly flammable. Do not ingest essential oils unless advised by a qualified healthcare professional with knowledge of aromatherapy.
Finally, be mindful of any adverse reactions when using essential oils. Discontinue use immediately if you experience any irritation, redness, or other negative reactions. If essential oils come into contact with the eyes, flush them with cool water or carefully swipe a cotton cloth imbued with a fatty oil over the closed eyelid.
By following these safety precautions, you can safely enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy and essential oils.
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Frequently asked questions
Aromatherapy is a holistic practice that involves inhaling or smelling essential oils. It is often associated with alternative medicine and has been shown to have benefits for wellness and stress relief.
Look for products that list the common name, Latin name, part of the plant processed, and how it was grown. Organic, wild-crafted, or unsprayed oils are ideal.
You can use essential oils aromatically by diffusing them in a diffuser, applying a drop to your hands and inhaling, or wearing them as a personal fragrance.
Yes, but it is recommended to dilute them with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil to avoid skin irritation. Apply them to your temples, inner wrists, elbows, or back of the neck.
Essential oils should not be ingested. They should also be kept out of reach of children and pets. Avoid applying them to sensitive areas like the eyes, nose, ears, or broken skin. Always do a patch test to check for skin irritation before use.
