Aromatherapy A-Z

There is a lot to be said about Aromatherapy; however, it can be simply defined as supporting the efforts of the body and mind to heal themselves through the inhalation and external application of essential plant oils. Some of the cheaper oils are obtained through the use of chemical solvents which extract the vital essence, but which are adulterated by the solvent, and are therefore not preferable. Get pure, unadulterated oil. Then you don't have to worry about the effects of the solvent on your immune and nervous system.

You may ask, is there any scientific research to support the idea that essential oils can assist the mind or body's healing process?

Studies with brain wave frequency have shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation (as well as intuition). Fragrance of jasmine was shown to increase beta waves in the front of the head, which are associated with a more alert mental state.

A company in Japan decided to do a study on how different fragrances affect people. They exposed a room full of keyboard entry operators to different fragrances and then monitored how many mistakes the operators made. They found that when exposed to lavender oil, keyboard errors dropped 20 percent. When exposed to jasmine, errors dropped 33 percent. And when exposed to lemon, the mistakes fell by 54 percent.

The human memory is able to store thousands of different smells. Each smell is associated with a memory, so when you smell a particular fragrance, it either evokes that specific memory or it simply evokes the emotion associated with that memory. For instance, the smell of lavender may remind you of your grandmother.

Children are born with a wonderful sense of smell, a baby will recognize it's mother's scent within a few days after its birth. Babies learn to associate food, warmth, security, happiness and love to the smell of their mothers. If the mother will routinely wear a particular essential oil or combination of oils, then that scent can be used to help calm the baby down. One particular class of oils that children usually love is citrus oils, including lemon, mandarin, orange and bergamot. These are often referred to as "happy" oils, and evoke a more cheerful demeanor. Lavender and vanilla are two fragrances that studies have shown to reduce stress. However, experience with your own child and the oils should be your best guide.

Some tips for Aromatherapy from A-Z:

Ants- Use a couple drops of mint oil (Peppermint) on a cotton ball to repel sugar ants. Place into kitchen drawers and cabinets. You may also drop Peppermint neat (undiluted) around the windows and entry ways of your home.

Bath- When using essential oils in the bath, be sure to close the bathroom door so the vapors don't escape. Use no more than 8 drops per bath. As essential oils do not dissolve in water you may want to dilute them in a small amount of liquid soap, vegetable oil or milk before using.

Carrier or Base Oils- Essential oils are very concentrated and must be diluted to use on the skin. The exceptions are Lavender and Tea Tree which may be used 1-2 drops when indicated. Some suitable base oils are Sweet Almond, Apricot Kernel, Hazelnut, Sesame, Safflower, Sunflower and Grape Seed.

Disinfect Stuff- Disinfect your toothbrushes using Tea Tree Oil. It kills germs, bacteria, fungi and viruses. Soak for 10 minutes in a glass of water and 10 drops Tea Tree Oil. Rinse before using.

EO Concentration- Essential Oils are a concentrated form of herbal medicine and are 75-100 times more concentrated than dried herbs. This is why we need very little and use only a few drops. Keep this in mind and remember when it comes to essential oils, using less is more effective.

Fleas- Fleas hate essential oils. It's easy to make a natural flea repellent. Combine 1/3 oz. Sweet Almond Oil, 10 drops Lavender and 5 drops Cedarwood.
Massage 1-2 drops over your dogs coat twice a week.

Glass Cleaner- Crunch up a piece of newspaper, put 7-10 drops of Grapefruit or Lemon essential oil on it and polish windows or mirrors; when the sun shines on the windows, the fragrance will be released.

Headaches- Lavender is known to be useful for headaches, especially tension headaches caused by stress. Use 6 drops in a cold compress applied to the forehead or back of the neck. Apply 1-2 drops neat (undiluted) to the temples. Place 1-2 drops on a tissue and inhale.

Ideals in the Kitchen- Add your favorite essential oil to any dishwashing liquid.
Try a few drops of Orange, Lemon or Grapefruit.

Jetlag- Traveling can really throw us off schedule. Either we can't sleep or we're too tired. Either way essential oils can help. To help you relax after reaching your destination, use Lavender, Marjoram and Chamomile in a warm bath or diffuser. To help with fatigue, try Peppermint, Rosemary and Basil. Put 1-2 drops on a tissue and inhale as needed.

Kiss- Create a mixture using 2 teaspoons Aloe Vera Gel as your base. Add Chamomile and Geranium 1-2 drops each. Apply to the lips. You may also try Lavender or Rose.

Long Drive- Try essential oil of Peppermint to stay alert during a long car ride. Known for its stimulating and head clearing properties, it is excellent for mental fatigue. Use in a dash board diffuser, hanging terra cotta pot or place a drop on a cotton ball.

Massage Oil- Make your own scented massage oil for a fraction of what you'd pay at any of the bath or body shops. The rule of thumb is using 12-15 drops of essential oils per one ounce of carrier oil. For a more subtle fragrance use less.

New Home- Upon moving into a new home prepare a spray bottle with distilled water and your favorite essential oils, 10-20 drops per 4oz. of water. Use for several days throughout the house to make it feel more your own.

Oils for Muscle Aches- This may come in handy for those of you who are working in your gardens again. Oils to choose from are Lavender, Marjoram, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Pine. A cold compress is best for new injuries; use 6 drops of essential oil, when the swelling goes down use the oils in a warm bath. Use up to 8 drops in the bath. Massage will also help. For massage, use up to 15 drops per 1 oz. base oil.

P.M.S.- Diffuse Lavender Oil into the air and use in your bath 10 days prior to menstruation and throughout your period. Lavender has a balancing effect on all the body systems and is useful for both physical and emotional complaints. Use 6-8 drops per bath or 2-6 drops in diffuser.

Quench yourself with a Bath- A bath is one of the most wonderful ways to use aromatherapy.

For a relaxing evening bath try Lavender and Roman Chamomile.

Resin Oils- Good for dry and cracked skin, helpful for healing wounds.
Ex. Frankincense, Myrrh, Benzoin abs. Try using in a facial oil or hand lotion.

Salt Glow- Exfoliating and detoxifying salt glow helps to remove dead cells from the outer skin layer. It cleanses pores, stimulates the elimination of toxins, improves circulation.

Mix 1 oz. of fine sea salt with 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils. Some to choose from are Grapefruit, Lemon, Cypress, Juniper, and Fennel. Moisten salt with water or mix with carrier oil to make a paste that can be spread easily. Apply with circular movements on entire body, especially hips and thighs. Use before your shower or bath.

Treat Your Skincare Products- Purchase some unscented face and body lotions to practice adding essential oils to them.

For a safe dilution and subtle aroma, start with a 1 percent dilution of essential oils. This would be 6 drops of essential oil to 1 oz. of lotion.

Ultra Laundry- Moisten unscented dryer sheets with your favorite essential oil.
Helps to make clothes germ free, and fragrances them as well.
Try Lavender, Lemon or Lime.

Vetiver- A wonderful remedy for nervousness and exhaustion. The scent is heavy, musk like, very earthy smelling. A hormonal balancer helpful with female problems like postpartum depression and menopause. Use with Lavender in massage, a bath or a body lotion.

Where Do They Go- Store essential oils in tightly closed dark glass bottles away from direct light. This helps to prevent deterioration. Amber, Green or Cobalt bottles work well. Protect from temperature variations and extreme heat.

Xyloid- Add one drop of essential oil to a fireplace log (real wood). Let sit for at least 1/2 hour before using. Logs may be prepared ahead of time and will retain the smell for a long time. Try using Cypress, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Pine or Cedarwood.

Use one scented log per fire. Remember essential oils are flammable.

Your Lungs- Essential Oils from Needles also help with breathing/respiration.
They are considered the "lungs of the tree." Ex. Pine, Fir, Spruce.

Zealousness- Being a candle maker myself, I'm all about the scented candles. Light the candle, let the wax melt around the wick, this can take several minutes. Blow it out and then add a few drops of essential oil to the melted wax. Re-light candle. This works best with a fat candle as the pool of wax will be larger.

Note: Essential oils are flammable. Never add essential oils while the candle is burning. It will flare up. It is also important to keep the wick trimmed very short. This keeps the flame low and you will smell the essential oils longer.