We all use aromatherapy, in its most basic form, every day. The smell of baking bread, a rosewater perfume or an aversion to bad smells are all powerful stimulators of memory and sense. In its technical application, it is an effective and soothing way to balance moods and manage energy and is an effective way to relieve sleeplessness. The oils provoke a variety of different responses by stimulating olfactory organs, which are linked to the areas of the brain that control emotions, causing a series of chemical reactions effecting a physical or emotional change in the body. If you don’t appreciate a particular scent, it won’t relax you and you should try something else. Oils can be used by adding them to a bath, burning them in a diffuser or using them in a compress. For sleep problems, they can be particularly effective in the form of massage, especially if your poor sleep is due to muscle tension.

Always buy pure oils, rather than synthetic oils. Most essential oils require a carrier oil, such as olive, sunflower or almond oil, and should be mixed before use in massage as they are highly concentrated and can cause skin irritation. Their potency means you only need a very small amount. For massage on adults, 28 mL of carrier oil should have only 12 to 15 drops of essential oil added. When using it in the bath, 10 to 12 drops of essential oil should be used. The water temperature should be sufficiently hot to ensure that the oils mix fully with the water. This has the duel effect of helping oil to soak into the skin and producing an oil enhanced steam that is breathed in – make sure the doors and windows are closed to encourage maximum inhalation. When properly stored in a cool, dark place, essential oils can last years. Once they are combined with a carrier oil, however, they will turn rancid within three months, so use them up.

The following essential oils are known to be effective for aiding a good nights sleep. In their dried form some can also be used to stuff sleep pillows, which will promote rest as you sleep. Herbs such as basil and marjoram can be ingested in food dishes or made into teas.

Basil

This herb can promote calm and rest for those suffering from nervous insomnia or fatigue. It is also regarded as an aphrodisiac, which is ideal if you are feeling too tired to even contemplate sex. The flower heads and leaves can be used in cooking, so ingest their benefits with a refreshing mozzarella, tomato and basil salad.

Clary Sage

This is regarded as an all-round panacea, and supports the central nervous system in many of its duties. From fatigue, depression and headaches, it can relieve many of the problems associated with poor sleep. Its benefits can be gained from eating it fresh, as well as in essential oil form. Add it to salads, or stuff chicken breast with it.

Frankincense

It is an ancient and widely used gum resin from Africa and the Middle East that can aid meditation. Place a few drops on a piece of cotton wool or in a small dish of water near a warm radiator before you start to meditate. Inhale the fragrance deeply throughout your session.

Geranium

Use geranium essential oil for renewing and reviving a tired mind. It is also a great antiseptic and insect repellent and one of the most useful and important aromatherapy oils. Use it in self massage to fight the fatigue caused by poor sleep or stressful demands.

Lavender

Amazingly effective encouraging sleep and relaxation. In studies published by the medical journal, The Lancet, lavender has been shown to be as effective as sleeping pills for the elderly. A great way to promote rest is to add a few drops to your ironing spray when you are ironing sheets, this way you can subtly infuse local sleep space with the scent. You can always freshen up the scent by spraying directly onto your pillow. Alternatively, put a few sprigs in the linen cupboard. Lavender has traditionally been used to provide relaxation and drowsiness, but be careful, using more than 1 to 2 drops can have the opposite effect.

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Aromatherapy also includes using essential oils in your baths for convenience. Essential oils can be concentrated and even potent so inappropriate usage or an overdose may lead to problems.

Do’s and don’ts while Using Essential Oils

??Read the instruction manual carefully and try to follow it. It is always better to buy from manufactures that provide instructions rather than going for second rate modified essential oils.

??Read the ingredients as some people might have skin allergies to certain substances.

??If you develop rashes or experience any kind of discomfort (which is not common), please consult a general physician.

??Stick to the quantity of usage per trial as mentioned, as many people use higher quantities in the hope of a quicker response. Overdose of essential can lead to headaches, dizziness and related complications.

??Do not apply undiluted essential directly onto your skin.

??Make sure that essential oils do not enter eyes, nose and ears.

??Always remember that oils are only for external usage as even small quantities if taken internally can cause a lot of discomfort.

??If you have a medical condition or if you are getting treated for a major illness, consult your doctor first and then talk to your aroma therapist as well.

??Using aromatherapy oils on children should be avoided, as a child’s health, his needs and reactions are very different from adults. Store essential away from the reach of children.

Consider a Patch Test

If you feel that your skin has developed red patches, burning or itchiness, this may signal either an allergy or a situation where in the oils are reacting on your skin. Wash it off or better have a bath.

That is the reason a patch test is recommended to check allergies and sensitivities before usage. Don’t do a patch test on your hands; instead do on areas which get hidden by your clothes (like legs) so that if there are burns or any kind of discomfort, it doesn’t get displayed. However the area you choose for a patch test is a personal choice and there is no hard and fast rule in it.

All in all, use oils with care for a better holistic lifestyle.

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Aromatherapy is a healing modality that is both powerful and very enjoyable because of the delicious scents of most essential oils. But how do you use it? Read on about one of the most intense ways to administer aromatherapy treatments.

Among the many ways to use aromatherapy, there’s one that is perfect if you want to saturate the air with the scent and breathe it in every time you inhale: Aromatherapy nebulizing diffusers. There are other types of diffusers, but the nebulizing one is the kind you want when you really want intense effects.

What do nebulizing diffusers do?

What makes a nebulizing diffuser different from a regular one is that it literally atomizes the essential oil into drops that are well, like water droplets in a fog: beyond tiny. These are then sprayed into the air for an intense therapeutic experience. This method also allows for the most intense fragrance.

It’s the solution of choice for aromatherapy oils that are meant to purify the environment, such as the rooms where someone has been coughing.

What kinds of oils can you diffuse in a nebulizer?

You should only use pure essential oils, and only those that are very liquid. Some oils have a more syrup-like or honey-like consistency (without the stickiness) and would just clog up the diffuser.

And while it might make sense to take those more substantial oils and mix them with carrier oil, that’s not recommended. Only pure essential oils, not oils mixed with carrier oils can be used.

How much oil will it use?

With some essential oils costing hundreds of dollars per ounce, you may want to know just how much oil diffusers will use. As it turns out, they do use quite a bit more than regular diffusers, about 3 milliliter per hour. Of course, that accounts for the intensity of the effect.

On the positive side, you won’t have to run the diffuser for hours at a time. Usually, 15 minutes is plenty to thoroughly saturate the room with the therapeutic vapor. Then repeat the treatment about two to three times a day for an optimal effect.

How complicated is it to maintain a nebulizer?

Fortunately, nebulizers are very easy to clean and maintain. Once you’ve run your nebulizer for the desired time, you can just take off the glass from the pump and pour any remaining oil back into its bottle. You can clean the glass by rinsing it out with rubbing alcohol, which costs just pennies.

To make your aromatherapy treatments even more powerful, consider combining them with EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).

CLICK HERE if you’d like to claim your FREE copy of Elisabeth Kuhn’s illustrated how-to guide to EFT.

And you’re also invited to visit Elisabeth’s eclectic self help blog with more resources for body, mind, spirit, and prosperity.

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Aromatherapy is one of the oldest healing arts in the world. For thousands of years, ancient peoples used the oils derived from natural plants as a way to heal a multitude of conditions and ailments. Today, many massage therapists are incorporating aromatherapy into their massage therapy treatments so they can give their clients better and more effective natural treatment.

There are hundreds of natural massage products on the market today. Aromatherapy can be used in the actual massage and incorporated into the massage oil, and can also be infused and inhaled during the course of the massage therapy treatment.

Essential oils are the basis for aromatherapy massage products. These oils are natural products that are derived from all organic products such as plants, fruits, flowers, barks and herbs. There are hundreds of indispensable oils available and they can be used in many different ways in aromatherapy massage treatments.

The oils used in aromatherapy massage treatments should not be used directly upon the skin. Some clients might find this direct contact irritates their skin and could cause minor discomfort. Also, they are very concentrated and must be mixed with carrier oil. There are different recipes for oils used in massage therapy and they range from treating everything from depression, to migraines, to arthritis.

Many massage therapists who incorporate aromatherapy into their treatments make their own special blend of massage oils. Others simply purchase their aromatherapy massage oils on one of the many online outlets that offer these types of products. As essential oils derive their healing power from being absorbed into the skin, it is important that the massage oils that boast to contain vital oils contain pure significant oils and not synthetic products. Pure indispensable oils are expensive and are also used in aromatherapy soaps and other products. However, they are well worth the cost.

Another way to incorporate aromatherapy into massage treatments is to infuse the essential oils and allow the client to breath in the healing powers of the oils into their lungs. Breathing the essential oils is just as effective as having them rubbed into the skin, sometimes even more so. Massage with the oils can still be performed thus doubling the healing powers of the essential oils.

Alternate healing properties that have worked wonders in the East for thousands of years are finally beginning to be recognized in the West. Many people are tired of taking prescriptive medication for all ailments that can be both physically and emotionally addictive. This is the reason why so many people in the West suffering from chronic painful conditions, anxiety and other conditions are seeking out the healing powers of aromatherapy massage treatments.

Today fortunately natural and organic products are readily available. Natural massage products are available throughout the Internet and in most health food stores as well as some nationally recognized grocery food chains. It is important to make certain the aromatherapy massage products that you purchase are all natural products and contain no synthetic chemicals.

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In my last article, I talked about the reasons and advantages to blending essential oils.

This time we will look at another factor to bear in mind when blending essential oils.

One of these factors is having regard to the note of each of your essential oils.

Now this is predominately an aesthetic consideration in that it affects how your blend will smell. But aesthetics are still important even when creating a blend for a particular physical problem, emotional condition or another purpose. A blend that smells attractive and cohesive will be more enjoyable to use, create a more positive mindset and will generally produce better results.

You may have heard the term note in relation to perfume. It essentially relates to the volatility of the components of the essential oil, which in turn affects the rate at which the oil will vaporize or evaporate and also affect the “energy” of the oil.

There are 3 notes generally referred to – top, middle and base notes.

Top Notes are the lightest, with smaller faster moving molecules. They evaporate very quickly, so will dissipate first and often appear more obvious when you first smell a blend, then gradually disappearing. Top notes generally have a brighter, lighter energy.

Typical top notes are the citrus group of oils, which reflect this bright lively character.

Top Notes – Basil, Bergamot, Clary sage, Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Sweet Orange, Petitgrain, Tea Tree, Thyme

Base notes are at the other end of the spectrum. They have heavier and slower moving molecules and take much longer to evaporate. They will inform the character of the blend after the other notes have dissipated.

Base Note oils tend to be slower, often warmer, often more relaxing. Many wood oils, such as sandalwood, are base notes, but this group also includes very different oils such as ylang ylang and ginger.

Base Notes – Cedarwood. Cinnamon Leaf. Clove Bud, Frankincense, Ginger, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Middle Notes are, as the name suggests, between top and base notes in terms of their energy and volatility. They are often very balancing oils, although some can be relaxing and some stimulating. Many herb oils fall into this category, such as lavender, rosemary and marjoram.

Middle Notes – Black Pepper, Roman Chamomile, Cypress, Fennel, Geranium, Lavender, Marjoram, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Spearmint

You may find some oils are sometimes stated to be in one category and sometimes in another. There are some oils that are almost on the line between one group and the next, so that they are interpreted as being, say, a middle note in one book, and a base note in another. A typical example is clary sage, which is sometimes referred to as a top note and sometimes as a middle note. Bear in mind that the categories are not sharply and distinctly defined. But are more in the nature of 3 areas of a continuing spectrum.

Notes become important when blending to create a blend that smells balanced at the beginning and continues to do so as the various molecules dissipate. The best blends will usually contain a mixture of all three notes, although it is possible to blend just top and middle notes (lighter and shorter lived) or middle and base notes (heavier and more intense). It is rare that a top and base note will blend harmoniously, although it can sometimes happen. Patchouli and Lime is a rare example of this.

Remember, just because you take a top, middle and base note, they won’t necessarily blend well. You still need to consider the all over character of the oils as well as the purpose for which you are blending. But having regard to the particular notes of the essential oils you are blending will help to create a more attractive blend and one you will enjoy smelling.

(Caution – Always bear in mind any cautions attaching to particular essential oils)

Wendy Mackay is a qualified Aromatherapist and member of the International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association (IAAMA). Wendy and her husband David run Essence of Well being a successful Aromatherapy & Massage Supply and Pure Natural Skin Care business, based in Mornington on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in Victoria Australia.

Other Articles and Essence of Well being products can be viewed at http://aromatherapyandnaturalskincare.com.au/

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If you have been looking for more natural ways to improve your health, then take a look at aromatherapy. You may wonder what aromatherapy is, what it does and how you go about using it. After reading this article you will know the basic answers to these questions.

Aromatherapy has been defined in many ways. The most basic definition that I have seen is that aromatherapy is diffusing scents/aromas into the air. It can also be defined as using essential oils to help your body relax and heal.

The main source of the various scents used in aromatherapy comes from essential oils. These are oils that are extracted through a distilling process from various plants. These oils are then used in massage, in candles and in diffusing them through the air.

There are many benefits to using essential oils. They are very relaxing and often help relieve stress. Many people find that using aromatherapy helps them sleep better, have a better complexion, reduce stomach problems and relieve symptoms from PMS. Aromatherapy is used to treat illnesses, asthma, insomnia, headaches, eczema, and menstrual issues.

You may be wondering what to do with the oil once you have it. There are several easy options to start with. A few drops of essential oil in a warm bath can be very relaxing and stress relieving. There are many diffusers on the market today that are not very expensive. Invest in one and enjoy the aroma in your home. A massage with some essential oils mixed with a carrier oil like almond oil, olive oil etc. can be a luxurious treat. Or simply wear some oil like perfume. My favorite is lavender oil. For a headache, I rub lavender oil on my neck. Do make sure that the oil you purchase is 100% pure.

There are many essential oils available and various ones are used for different benefits. It goes beyond the scope of this article to list them all. You can easily learn more on the internet about all the oils available.

Now you have learned the basics of aromatherapy. Using the aromas of various plants and herbs, we can bring health benefits to our bodies. Do some more research and have fun experimenting with essential oils. You will be glad you did!

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