Aromatherapy: Enhancing Your Space With Essential Oils

There are many options for what to put in an aroma container, depending on the type of container and the desired effect. Aroma containers can be used to enhance a room's fragrance, to create a pleasant scent in enclosed spaces, or to mask unwanted odours. Essential oils, fragrance oils, dried herbs and flowers, and even food ingredients can be used in aroma containers.

For example, essential oils like lavender, lemon, cinnamon, and peppermint can be added to oil diffusers to fill a room with fragrance. Reed diffusers, electric diffusers, and candle diffusers are commonly used for this purpose.

To mask odours, airtight containers can be used to store herbs, with Mason jars being a popular choice. Plastic containers, such as pill bottles, are also effective for storing smaller amounts while being lightweight and portable.

Aroma beads are another option, absorbing fragrance oils and releasing scent over time. These beads can be placed in organza bags, glass jars, or used as potpourri.

Essential oils

The process of using an essential oil diffuser usually consists of adding water to the machine's container, then adding a few drops of the desired essential oil before switching it on.

Choosing a Location for Diffusing

Pick an open area in a room or office with a solid surface or tabletop. You will need an outlet to plug it in. Also, since water is being used, it is good to have a placemat or towel down if you are using it on a wood surface. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight or near a fan.

Adding Water to Your Diffuser

Fill your diffuser water tank to the fill line of the water reservoir with clean tap water or distilled water. Most diffusers have a water level line on the inside of the water reservoir or a measuring cup to fill up and then add to the reservoir. Refer to your diffuser manual for the recommended water amount your diffuser requires. Do not overfill, as your aroma diffuser may not run properly.

Adding Essential Oils

Add 3-10 drops of essential oils to the water. You can use a single essential oil, such as lavender, or an essential oil blend. Usually, 6 drops of oil is enough, but sometimes you may want more oil for a stronger scent. You can experiment with the essential oil amounts to see what you prefer.

Cleaning Your Diffuser

It is best to do a quick cleaning after each use. Unplug the diffuser and remove any water left in the reservoir. Clean the inside with a small brush and warm water (most diffusers come with one, or you can use a clean paintbrush). Rinse out and dry off. Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean the ultrasonic chip found in most water reservoirs. Let the diffuser air dry.

Best Essential Oils to Diffuse

The essential oil you choose depends on your desired goal. If you want something calming, try lavender for relaxation, or peppermint to soothe headaches and nausea. Here are some other popular choices:

• Frankincense: Use during meditation or yoga; good for balancing, lifting spirits, improving focus, anxiety, and spiritual awareness.
• Grapefruit: Helps reduce food cravings, uplifting, balancing, enhances mood, relieves anxiety, stress, and tension.
• Eucalyptus: Great for nasal congestion, respiratory ailments, breathing discomfort, insect repellent, and bug bites.
• Sweet Orange: A cheerful scent to improve mood, calm anxiety, digestion, uplifting, and natural detoxifier.

Whole spices

Fenugreek Seeds: Fenugreek seeds have a bitter taste but offer enormous health benefits. The leaves, on the other hand, have a maple-like aroma and are less bitter. Fenugreek is commonly associated with the smell of curry.

Cumin Seeds: Cumin seeds have a flavour profile similar to caraway or dill and are commonly used in Indian cooking and curries. They are best fried in oil at the beginning of a dish.

Cardamom: Green cardamom has a distinct flavour reminiscent of eucalyptus. Black cardamom seeds have the same scent but are dried over a fire, giving them a smoky flavour.

Coriander Seeds: Coriander seeds have a citrusy aroma with some woody notes. They are an essential spice in Indian dishes like Madras and Vindaloo.

Nutmeg: Whole nutmeg can be shaved with a sharp knife or grated and is commonly used in South Indian cuisine. It is often toasted and ground with other spices to make masalas for chicken curries.

Mustard Seeds: Brown, yellow, or black mustard seeds are essential in Indian cooking, adding a nutty, sharp flavour to curries. They are typically fried in oil at the beginning of a dish.

These are just a few examples of whole spices that you can use in your aroma container. You can also mix and match different whole spices to create unique and complex fragrances. Remember to choose an airtight container to preserve the aroma and keep the spices away from direct light and heat to maintain their freshness and fragrance.

Dried herbs

The best way to store dried herbs is in airtight containers made of non-porous materials like glass, metal, or food-grade plastic. These materials ensure that moisture and odours are kept at bay, preserving the quality of your herbs. Avoid using containers made of wood or cardboard as they can absorb moisture and odours, compromising the freshness of your herbs.

When it comes to the best places to store dried herbs, opt for cool, dry, and dark locations like a pantry, cupboard, basement, or closet. Keep them away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and humid areas to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria.

To maintain the flavour and aroma of your dried herbs, avoid crushing them until just before use. Whole leaf or stem forms help preserve their qualities for longer. Additionally, labelling your containers with the herb type, date stored, and other relevant information will ensure you use the right herb and keep track of its shelf life.

With proper storage, dried herbs can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. However, it's recommended to use them within a year, as their flavour and potency may diminish over time.

Potpourri

Today, potpourri typically consists of decoratively shaped dried plant materials, which may or may not be scented, along with strong natural and synthetic perfumes. It is possible to create your own potpourri by using foraged or store-bought plants and herbs, along with essential oils. Here are the steps to make your own:

• Gather dried herbs like rosemary, sage, and lavender, dried spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise, and dried fruit slices like apple or orange. You can also use dried flowers like calendula, pine cones, and citrus peels.
• Ensure that any fresh ingredients are completely dry to prevent mould. You can dry orange slices by pressing out excess juice and baking at a low temperature for a couple of hours.
• Add 6-8 drops of your chosen essential oil to the dry ingredients and toss to coat evenly. Popular choices include cinnamon or fir needle oil.
• Place the mixture in a glass jar or cellophane bag and seal tightly. The scent will be strongest several days after sealing, so it's best to prepare it in advance.
• To use, simply pour the potpourri into a bowl to scent a small space, or boil a small amount in a pot of water to fill your entire house with fragrance.

Aroma beads

To make aroma beads, you will need:

• Unscented aroma beads (1/2 to 1 lb)
• Fragrance oil (3 to 4 ounces)
• Liquid candle dye (1 to 4 drops)
• Glass jar with lid (for mixing)
• Packaging (jar, bowl, organza bag, etc.)

• If you wish to colour your aroma beads, add 1-2 drops of liquid candle dye to about 1/2 ounce of fragrance oil and mix well.
• Weigh the desired amount of aroma beads, starting with about 1/2 lb of clear, unscented beads.
• Add the aroma beads to the coloured fragrance oil in the mixing jar.
• Swirl, shake, and/or stir the aroma beads until they are evenly coated in the liquid.
• Put the lid on the jar and shake vigorously for a full minute or two. It can take a few hours to a few days for the beads to absorb all the oil, depending on the fragrance.
• Once the oil has been absorbed, the beads are ready to use. You can add herbs, trinkets, glitter, etc., to give different effects.
• Package the scented aroma beads in clear glass jars with slotted lids, or use any clear container with holes for air circulation.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Always add the fragrance oil slowly to the beads and let it absorb gradually.
• Food colouring and soap dye will not work for colouring the beads.
• Fragrance oils can stain wood and damage painted or plastic surfaces, so be careful when placing scented beads on these surfaces.
• Aroma beads will melt at 150-190 degrees Fahrenheit, so do not use them in a potpourri burner or tart warmer.
• Keep the beads out of the reach of children and pets.

Frequently asked questions