Aromatherapy is an age-old way to provide relief to anxiety and certain discomforts. It is also used as a way to relax a person’s body and mind and to boost his sense of well-being. They can be applied in a lot of ways, but their application varies depending on the person’s needs and the area that needs to be attended to.
Essential oils are the major players in aromatherapy treatment. They are made from pure extracts of medicinal plants. They are all natural, but they are highly concentrated that they can be harmful if they are used without the supervision or guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Here are some of the most common ways to use essential oils.
1. Direct Application to the Skin
You can apply certain types of essential oils directly to your skin to treat rashes, fungal infections, or as massage oil. But you need to dilute them first with about 97 percent carrier oil before applying them to your skin to reduce their concentration.
Always perform an individual test of the essential oil and the carrier oil on your skin by doing a skin-patch test to ensure that they are safe to use. You also need to test the blended formula to see to it that it cannot cause any adverse reaction to your skin. Once you are sure that the formula is safe, you can already apply it to the affected areas of your skin.
Essential oils are most effective when they are applied through massage as it allows the oil to penetrate the skin and into the blood stream. This will enable you to experience the relaxing and therapeutic effects of essential oils.
Other ways to apply essential oils directly to the skin can be done by:
- Adding a few drops of your chosen essential oil to your lotion or cream;
- Adding a few drops of essential oil to hot water, dipping a face towel into it, squeezing out excess water from the towel and placing the towel on the affected area; and
- Adding a few drops of essential oil to a warm bath.
Do’s and don’ts when applying essential oil to skin
Although essential oils are commonly derived from natural extracts of various plants’ leaves, seeds, fruits, roots, barks, and rids, certain precautions should still be taken when using them. You do not want to purchase and use a product only to find out that you are allergic to one of its ingredients.
Essential oils should be used with caution on children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with medical conditions. If you have any concerns, make sure to immediately consult your doctor.
In this section of the article, we’ll go over some do’s and don’ts when it comes to using essential oils on your skin. This way, you can ensure that your skin only receives the nourishment it requires to stay smooth, glowing, and healthy.
Here are few things to keep in mind before applying essential oils to the skin:
DO’s
- Do a patch test first to make sure you’re not allergic to the oil.
- Do dilute the oil using a carrier oil before skin application.
- Do check the label and its contents before purchasing.
- Do prevent usage when if irritation occurs.
- Do know how to use before purchasing
DON’Ts
- Don’t apply the oil directly to your skin; always use a carrier oil or lotion first.
- Don’t use too much; a little goes a long way with these potent oils.
- Don’t apply essential oils to open wounds, irritated or broken skin.
- Don’t just rely on a brand’s health claims without support conduct thorough research.
- Don’t add drops of oil to any cosmetics products without professional guidance.
2. Inhalation of essential oils
Aside from their ability to provide relief through direct application to the skin, you can also enjoy the therapeutic benefits of essential oils by adding a few drops to a diffuser and inhale their aroma.
Inhalation of essential oils is a popular way to improve one’s health and well-being. When the oils are inhaled, they are distributed throughout the body and can help to improve respiratory function, mental clarity, and overall energy levels. Additionally, essential oils can also help to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Using essential oils as air freshener can also help to prevent the spreading of infectious organisms.
In the absence of essential oil diffuser, you can still freshen up your environment by adding a few drops of of it to a bowl of hot water or to the melting wax of a burning candle. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to your laundry or dryer to freshen up clothing, towels and linen.
Tips on choosing essential oils for your aromatherapy
There are different essential oils that can be used in aromatherapy. With so many essential oils available, deciding which one is the best can be overwhelming.
But before we provide you some tips, let us first talk about what aromatherapy is.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using natural oils e to enhance psychological and physical well-being. The inhaled aroma from these “essential” oils is thought to stimulate parts of the brain that affect mood and emotion.
Aromatherapy has been used for centuries in many cultures for its supposed health benefits. Modern research supports some therapeutic uses of essential oils. However, little scientific evidence exists to confirm most aromatherapy claims.
So how do you know which essential oil to choose? Fortunately, we have listed down some tips to help you pick your next favorite essential oil to use.
1. Consider your needs and goals. What do you hope to achieve with aromatherapy? This will help narrow down your choices.
2. Research the properties of various oils. Some oils are better for relaxation, while others are better for energy or focus.
3. Choose high-quality oils. Look for brands that use pure, natural ingredients and offer therapeutic-grade oils.
4. Experiment and find what works best for you. Everyone responds differently to different scents, so it’s important to find what works best for you personally.
These are the two most common applications of essential oils. Some practitioners believe that some types can be ingested in safe doses. However, this method is still highly debated upon as most practitioners in the US, UK and Canada, are not in favor of this particular type of application.
Different types of essential oils
Starting to like the benefits of the essential oil if you use them? Well we have a good news for you! There are a lot of different types of essential oils to choose from, so you won’t be disappointed in case you don’t find one you like.
Essential oils are aromatic, concentrated plant extracts that are used for a variety of purposes. There are many different types of essential oils, each with its own unique aroma and benefits. Some common essential oils can be used for aromatherapy, massage, and other topical applications.
Due to their numerous benefits, essential oils have grown in popularity over the years. So, if you’re looking for essential oils to try but aren’t sure which one to try, we’ve listed a few for you.
Here are some essential oils you can choose from:
- Peppermint essential oil
- Tea tree oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Bergamot essential oil
- Peppermint oil
- Lemon essential oil
- Jojoba oil
- Orange oil
- Lemon oil
- Sweet almond oil
In case you have found out which essential oils work for you, having accessories may also comes in handy. This includes a diffusers, droppers, ultrasonic diffuser, bottle and dropper.
Are essential oils safe?
Generally, essential oils are safe to use when used as directed, properly and in moderation. But keep in mind that since they are not regulated by the FDA, it is important to research each oil before using it. So make it a habit to check the label, manufacturer, ingredients and dosage as this will give you an idea on the legitimacy of the product.
Also, do not forget to always take note of the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Some essential oils can causes serious side effects when used excessively and incorrectly. Make sure to always consult a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition.
Getting ready to experience a different kind of relaxation?
From improving your skin’s health to boosting your mood and giving relaxing sensation. Essential oils are a great way to help you escape from the troubles brought by stress to your everyday life.
Whenever you pick an essential oil, always make sure to read its label, know your purpose and goals, and test it beforehand. In this way, you will be guaranteed to choose the right one that suits your preferences and will benefit the most from it. Keep these few tips in mind as you select the right essential oils.
Never be afraid to try and test new products in order to find the right essential oil. Eventually, you may discover an essential oil with a variety of uses and purposes that will become an valuable part of your life.
Find out more about our recommended essential oil for bringing relaxation into your lifestyle by checking out our mind booster blog posts.
