More than 12 ways use Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Essential oils may be used in a variety of ways for emotional and mental well-being as well as treatment of medical conditions or first-aid treatment. It is recommended that not more than 3 oils are blended together for each treatment.

These are the most common methods of using your oils. Take time to learn more, maybe purchase aromatherapy books, it will benefit your wellbeing.

The most common ways of usage are in Baths, Tubs, Jacuzzi, Shower, Hand and Foot Baths, Direct & Steam Inhalation, Vaporization or Room Fragrancers, Massage, Compresses, Gargle, Compresses, Health & First-Aid, Shoe Rack, Woodfires, Oil Lamps & Candles, Internal Use.
Scroll down to see details and recommended dosage

Baths, Tubs, Jacuzzi

A simple and pleasant way to use essential oils. It has been recognized for centuries that bathing with herbs and essential oils promotes well being and health. A medium-hot or warm bath can be soothing on the mind and body while a cool or cold dip creates an invigorating and stimulating effect. Lukewarm baths are wonderful for lowering the temperature of a fever.

For a bath, place 5-10 drops of non-irritating essential oils in a full tub. Jacuzzis, put 10-15 drops. Close the door to keep in the vapours and soak for 15 minutes. Remember to mix the oil with the water well. Dilute with carrier like sweet almond oil  for added moisture and even distribution, especially for people with sensitive skin and for young children. The oil penetrates the skin while you relax and breathe in the wonderful aromas.
Detox in a Sauna with 2 drops of Eucalyptus or pine per 1/2 pint of water and throw over the coals to evaporate
See Baths with various Oils

Useful Oils : Lavender, Geranium relaxes after a tired day. Rosemary, Rosewood, Bergamot, Orange for energizing for a new day, a Basil bath will increase your mental sharpness but use very sparingly as it is a skin irritant. Peppermint in summer to cool your body, Bay, Nutmeg to warm you up in winter and relieve aches; Pine, Juniper oils to detoxify and to rid the body of infectious illness, promote relaxation. To aid romance, try Sandalwood, Neroli, Jasmine , cant go wrong Rose, even Patchouli. Be sensitive to your partners' sense of smell. Frankincense, Angelica for getting in touch with your spiritual side.
Look at the Quick Reference Chart for Oils for your particular need.

Shower

After cleansing, dip wet sponge in oil blend and rub on your body while under warm jet spray. Flower scents are recommended for this.

Hand and Foot Baths

Soothe Chapped skin with Comfrey, Patchouli in warm water. Relax and refresh tired, sore feet with a hot foot bath with Camphor, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Bay- effective for relieving stress, over-exhaustion, excessive perspiration, chills, and easing arthritic or rheumatic pain. 3-5 drops of essential oil into a basin of warm or hot water. Soak feet or hands for about 10 minutes. You may also dilute the oils in a teaspoon of cider vinegar, honey or carrier oil before adding to the water. See Feet Forward for more Footbaths

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Direct Inhalation

Place 4 drops of an oil on a handkerchief and inhale Useful for colds, headaches or clearing your head at work.
Pillow Talk: Perfume your pillow, or pillowcase with 2-3 drops. Choose a relaxing oil to unwind or one for insomnia. Lavender, Chamomile work well. Or try an aphrodisiac oil like Rose, Jasmine or Ylang Ylang.
This method works really well for children who toss and turn in their sleep.

Steam inhalation

Best for respiratory trouble. Also helps the humidity levels in a room. Put 6-12 drops in a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and breathe deeply for about three minutes while keeping the eyes closed. It is important not to use this method for too long as it can reverse the initial clearing effect and clog the sinuses again. This is not recommended for those with asthma. Also a good way of deep-cleansing your face. Eucalyptus, Teatree, Bergamot for colds, throat infections,etc. See Chart for more helpful oils

Vaporization or Room Fragrancers

Many oils have a medicinal effect in the air itself as well as on the person breathing them, as they are powerful antiseptics that can kill airborne bacteria. Methods that heat oils speed up their evaporation rate.

A vaporizer are usually made of ceramic or metal and readily available. A few drops are placed in a bowl of the burner and a tea candle is placed underneath, causing the oil to heat up and evaporate. These have an open flame and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

A nebulizing diffuser is one of the best methods available. It has an advantage of not using a naked flame to generate heat. Some diffusers do not use heat to evaporate the oils, providing the benefit of more efficient and prolonged use of your oils. This type of vaporization is a good choice for larger areas, overnight use and safe around children.

Fragrance rings are a easy and cheap way of using essential oils. These rings hold a few drops of essential oil and are placed on top of a light bulb. After sitting on the bulb, these become very hot, so be sure to turn off your light and allow it to cool off before removing.

A plant sprayer or atomizer may also be used to disperse fragrance into a room. Place 4 drops of essential oil into 1 cup (250 ml) of warm water and pour into a sprayer. Shake the container well and spray. Avoid spraying over wooden furniture.

Use3-6 drops of oil depending on the room size. Citrus oils like Rosewood, Lemon, Bergamot bring freshness and clarity, Myrtle, Nutmeg are warming, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Teatree, Ravansara are antiseptic, bactericidal and can clean up doctors cabins. Basil , Rosemary will bring mental alertness

Massage

Classic Aromatherapy Treatment. Stimulates all of the organs as well as the circulation of the blood and lymph, thereby clearing toxic build up and blockages and triggering the body's natural healing process.

Use 1-3 % solution of essential oil to carrier oil. For stress-related conditions, use: lavender, chamomile, rose, jasmine, neroli, bergamot, geranium, frankincense, and ylang ylang. Good sources of carrier oils include sweet almond, sunflower, grapeseed, and coconut oil. See cellulite and stretch marks blends in the Aroma Potions> Body Beauty section

Compresses

Soak clean cotton cloth in 2 drops pre 500ml water which is thoroughly agitated. Squeeze out and lay on area. when cold, replace with warm compress until swelling or pain subsides. Cold compresses are used primarily to relieve pain as a result of an injury or wound such as a bump or bruise, headaches, migraine as well as to reduce swelling or fever. Hot compresses help improve circulation, abscesses, and reduce muscular aches and pain, and other internal conditions (cramps, arthritis, and gout).

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Gargle

Gargles are great for sore throats, mouth ulcers, strengthening the gums or as a mouthwash. Use 1 drop of essential oil to a glass of warm water. Be sure to disperse the oil by mixing the oil and water well before using. Use peppermint, Lavender. Be careful not to swallow the blend.

Neat Application

Essential oils should not be applied neat to the skin (without dilution) because they are very concentrated. Almost all oils will cause irritation and burning sensation when applied undiluted. Only lavender may be applied for burns which promotes healing and overrides the tingling sensation. Also for spots, Lavender and tea tree can be used to kill the bacteria.

Health & First-Aid

Essential Oils are simple and easy self-help tools in the prevention and treatment of common problems. It is helpful to have a small selection of the most useful essential oils and carrier bases for use in the home. Many essential oils are wonderful for first aid as well as bath oils, perfumes, or room fresheners. An essential oil kit can be very valuable not only in the home, but also at work or when traveling on vacation.

These essential oils should always be available with you: Lavender, Tea tree, Rosemary, and Peppermint and any one carrier oil

Other Uses

Shoe Rack: Freshen cupboard with Lemongrass. Deodorize shoes with Pine, Parsley
Wood Fires: Sprinkle drops of Cypress, Cedarwood, Pine, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh over the logs about 1-2 hours before lighting the fire and then burn them to release your favorite aroma.
Candles, Oil Lamps: Use scented candles or add a few drops of essential oil to an oil lamp

See Internal Use of Essential Oils

To Wrap it up, Have fun and play with the combinations as you come up with scents you like! Keep a record of your experiments so you remember what combinations you tried and what affect they had on you and your family.

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