Aromatherapy is the art of using the aromas of flowers and plants, and the oils obtained from them, to elicit particular responses in people. When we bathe with flowers and herbs, cook with spices and garden with them, we are experiencing aromatherapy. As a healing therapy, we use aromatic oils of plants that are carefully distilled and bottled for use. Essential oils concentrate the vital forces of the plant in a material form.
Essential oils are odoriferous, highly volatile substances, found in all the aromatic plants. These oils are highly complex chemically, containing alcohols, terpenes, phenols, aldehydes, and ketones. Besides their remarkable bactericidal and antiviral powers, essential oils have a wide range of therapeutic activity. They are life enhancers, pleasure tools, and memory triggers.
While essential oils are not cheap, they are very economical. Just a half dozen drops added to a little sweet almond oil produces a luxuriously sensual and therapeutic bath, filling the whole bathroom with fragrance. Essential oils can be appealing and useful items in your medicine chest replacing tranquilizers, aspirins, salves, antibiotics and antihistamines. Robert Tisserand, author of The Art of Aromatherpy, tells us that the essential oil of clary sage, for instance, is a marvelous anti-depressant. Rosewood has a similar action. Adding two drops of each to a warm, but not hot bath, will give flagging and jades spirits a better lift than a glass of champagne.
How to use aromatherapy oils
There are numerous external uses for essential oils. You can use an aromatic diffuser either an electric one or powered by a candle. You can take an aromatic bath (10 – 20 drops of essential oil for a full tub). Use a “carrier” skin oil such as almond oil or jojoba oil and add essential oils to them, then massage it into your skin. This works well for tired or aching muscles. Use directly on your hair (rub a small amount in the palms of your hands and rub through hair) or add them to shampoos and rinses. You can add essential oils to clothing, either for the purpose of insect repelling or as an inhalant (add to collar of shirt) to open sinuses or act directly upon the lunds. Essential oils can be used in skin care and cosmetic products. As a disinfectant or deodorizer, you can add a few drops of oil in a pan of steaming water.
Oils I use frequently
Only use essential oils externally!
Lavender – use the true lavender, not the spike variety – should be part of every domestic first-aid kit. It is great for insect bites and stings (apply directly to the skin) and amazing relief for any kind of burn. The burnt body part should be immersed in cold water at once and a few drops of lavender oil then added. It will stop hurting and start healing. For bad cases of sunburn, draw a tepid bath with a dozen drops of lavender added to it. Rub into your temples for a headache or have someone give you a scalp massage with it. Use it in your home-made deodorant (baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil and oils). Lavender oil helps sprains, strains and stiff joints when rubbed onto the effected body parts. It stimulates hair gowth (brush on hair). Dilute 1 drop of it in a cup of water and apply it as an antiseptic to pimples, wounds, acne or sores.
Eucalyptus - use it in a bath for respiratory issues. I add it to the collar of my shirt when I have a cold and feel stuffed up. It works wonders at night! Due to its antiseptic action, it also makes a great addition to cleaning products like a yoga mat spray.
Rosemary – clears the mind if there is confusion and doubt. Use it for condition the scalp and stimulate hair growth in combination with lavender oil. I use rosemary oil for headaches and add it to my bath water.
Lemon Oil – I add this to a spray bottle filled with water and use it as a kitchen cleaner. 2-3 drops to ½ cup of water is enough. Lemon oil provides mental clarity, so add a little to your clothing if you have studying to do.
Cypress Oil – add to bath oil for a relaxing and refreshing effect. Spread a drop on a pillow to ease coughs.
Peppermint – I use 1 drop of peppermint oil in 4 oz of water as a mouth wash. I do not like commercially prepared mouth washes with their added sugars and/or alcohol.
You can make your own perfumes/body mists with aromatherapy. It is easy and very economical. I do not like the overpowering commercially available perfumes. Frontier sells 4 oz spray bottles to put your concoctions in and use with. A favorite of mine is Patchouli/Sweet Orange. Use 4 oz of water and a few drops of sweet orange, lemon and patchouli oil. I also like Sandalwood and add that to a spray bottle of water. It smells very fresh and purifying.
For a yoga mat spray/cleanser, use ¼ cup vinegar, 3 Tbsp rubbing alcohol, a few drops Eucalyptus Oil and lemon oil, and 1 tsp Tea Tree Oil.