How To Use Essential Oils

Essential oils!! You can soak in them and you can splash in them. They will feed your skin, you can sensually smooth them all over your body, or simply breathe in their wonderful aromas.

One of my favorite ways to use essential oils is for massage. If you are a woman, like me, and sometimes too tired or just not in the mood, have your husband give you a massage using ylang-ylang, rose or jasmine. By the time my husband is done massaging my body we are both ready for hot passionate sex. These aromatic oils are one of the kindest gifts that nature can give to us.

Here are some more ways of dispersing their fragrance and utilizing their therapeutic properties:

Inhalation:

Steam inhalation is an excellent method for treating respiratory problems and colds, but should not be used for asthmatics. Add 6 to 12 drops to a bowl of steaming water, place a towel over your head and breathe deeply. This is also a great way to deep clean you face.

Baths:

Run warm to hot water and then add 5-10 drops of essential oil to suit your mood. Close your bathroom door to keep those wonderful vapors from escaping and soak for 15 minutes. I find it very hard to get out of my bath in just fifteen minutes, because it feels sooooooooo good. For sensitive skin it is better to dilute the oil in a base oil. Most people can use Sweet Almond Oil.

Two other oils that are good for sensitive skin are apricot and peach kernel. Essential oils can mark plastic bath tubs if they are not dispersed thoroughly, so wipe your bath tub down right after each use.

Foot Bath:

Refresh your tired feet by adding 4-5 drops of peppermint, rosemary and thyme to a large bowl of hot water. To soothe your feet use lavender oil.

Hand Bath:

Soothe your chapped skin by soaking in a bowl of warm water with 3-4 drops of patchouli or comfrey oil. Do a hand bath before a manicure.

Shower:

After you have taken your shower using soap or shower gel, rinse well. Dip a wet sponge in an oil mixture of your choice and rub over your whole body while under a warm jet spray.

Sauna:

If you are fortunate enough to have your own sauna, add 2 drops of eucalyptus or pine oil to a half pint of water and throw over coals to evaporate. These oils are great cleansers and detoxifiers.

Jacuzzi or Hot Tub:

Add 10-15 drops of sandalwood, ylang-ylang, or geranium for relaxing. Use pine, rosemary, or neroli for stimulating effect.

Therapeutic Massage:

A therapeutic massage is the classic aromatherapy treatment. It triggers the body’s natural healing process by using lymphatic massage and essential oils to stimulate the flow of blood and lymph fluid. The aromas also act upon the emotional centre in the brain which governs the way we feel. For massage use a 1-3 per cent solution of essential oil to a base oil.

Aromatherapy Massage

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Perfume your pillow with 2-3 drops of essential oil. Choose a relaxing oil to unwind or one for insomnia if you have problems with sleeping. Try an aphrodisiac like ylang-ylang for a different mood!!!!!! If you want extravagance use rose or jasmine as these are two of the more expensive oils.

Room Sprays:

To make a room spray, blend 10 drops of essential oil in 7 tablespoons of water. If you choose to, add a preservative of 1 tablespoon of vodka or pure alcohol to the solution. Shake this mixture well before adding to spray bottle.

Perfumes:

The finest of perfumes are traditionally blended with pure essential oils, particularly the flower extracts. These days they tend to use synthetic aromas for cheaper perfumes. The art of the perfumier is subtle and skilled, and difficult to replicate at home. If you have a favorite oil you can use it all over your body in a 3 per cent solution. You can make a very concentrated blend about 25 per cent to dab behind ears, knees, wrists and temples.

Fragrancers:

Fragrancers are attractive pots, also known as diffusers or vaporizers. They are very simple to use. Fill the top bowl with some water and add a few drops of essential oil. The tea candle in the bottom heats the water which slowly releases the natural fragrance of the oil into the room. Depending on the size of the room, 3-6 drops of oil should be enough.

Pot Pourri:

We all have used pot pouri at some time or another. When the fragrance has disappeared add a few drops of a flowery or spicy essential oil to refresh it.

Handkerchief:

The handkerchief is the most portable way of using essential oils. Add 3-4 drops of oil to a handkerchief. If you use the appropriate essential oil, your handkerchief can be used for treating colds or headaches, or for clearing your head at work.

Humidifiers:

You can add your favorite oil to the water in your humidifier. You can also improvise by adding 5 drops of essential oil to a bowl of water and place it on top of a radiator or a hot plate.

Ring Burners:

With ring burners you use the heat from a light bulb to release perfumed oils. Small ring burners which are usually made of aluminum or porcelain, sit over the top of a light bulb. Add a few drop of essential oil to the ring and the heat from the bulb will gently vaporize the essential oil. I have tried a ring burner and just did not feel safe about using and didn’t feel that it quite did its job.

Wood Fires:

This is absolutely magnificent on a cold winter night. Sprinkle some drops of cypress, pine, cedar wood or sandalwood over the logs that you are going to use about an hour before lighting them. When you light them they will release whatever aroma you had put on the log.

Scented Candles:

Wax candles can be bought with the essential oils already in them. They are a delightful way to fragrance a room. You can also add essential oil to the oil in your hurricane lamp for the same effect.

Compresses:

To make a compress, soak a clean cotton cloth, such as a handkerchief or towel in a fourth of a pint of warm water that you have added 5-10 drops of essential oil to. Squeeze the water out and lat cross the area that is to be treated, cover and leave until cold. This a useful method for headaches and hot flashes. It can also be used for sprains and bruising.

Body and Facial Oil: These oils can be used daily to nourish the skin. Use a 1 percent blend of essential oil to your choice of carrier oil for the face and a 3 per cent blend for the body for an effective treatment.