Aromatherapy Tips for Beginners
Aromatherapy is the simple practice of awakening your senses with natural oils. You’ve probably experienced the benefits of Aromatherapy without even realizing it!
How many times have you walked into the office of your day spa or doctor and noticed a pleasant-smelling aroma filling the room? THAT was aromatherapy. It’s common for offices to use a combination of essential oils to help calm and relax their patients.
Whether you’re a seasoned aroma-vet or you’d like to introduce essential oils into your life, here are the Do and Don’ts of Aromatherapy.
DO: Study as much as you can on Aromatherapy. It’s easy to get started, but there are health-related components to be aware of.
DON’T: Purchase perfume oils thinking they are the same as essential oils. Although they may smell nice they are not the real deal and do not offer therapeutic benefits.
DO: Be selective of where you make your essential oil purchases. Oil should always come 100% pure and undiluted.
DON’T: Purchase from non-reputable or beginner companies at street and craft fairs. Many new companies do not have a reliable method of guaranteeing quality.
DO: Store your oils in a cool, dark place in dark tinted glass (cobalt blue or amber).
DON’T: Ignore the safety information or directions of use.
DO: Enjoy introducing aromatherapy into your life!
How to Use Essential Oils in Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the relaxing practice of using essential oils that have been extracted from various plants to enhance physical and psychological well-being. The right blend of oils can even help motivate and de-stress people while stimulating certain brain functions.
Here’s how you can implement essential oils into your aromatherapy routine.
- Start by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil(s) into a spray bottle filled with water. Shake well and use it as an air freshener.
- Have any candles that seem to have lost their scent? A drop of essential oil will bring it to life while you benefit from the therapeutic properties.
- Some essential oils have benefits of being rubbed directly on the skin. Always read the warnings and instructions before doing so, many oils require a base oil like safflower, olive, or vegetable oil for direct contact.
- Avoid these types of essential oils if you have high blood pressure: thyme, sage, rosemary, rose, ginger, eucalyptus, and cypress.
- Freshen and cleanse smelly shoes by adding oil such as Lemon on a cotton ball and leaving it in your shoes overnight.
- Place a few drops on a cloth and toss it in with your clothes in the dryer. This will also make your entire home smell amazing!
Tips on Storing Essential Oils
Essential oils used in aromatherapy, as well as other types of health and home wellness, has a shelf life from 1 to 3 years – when stored in a dark-colored glass jar or vial. The only exception to this is Citrus oil, which lasts from 6 months to 1 year.
Even though many essential oils stay good for a few years, once they are mixed with carrier oils, the shelf life with being equal to the vegetable oil it is mixed with – if tightly capped and refrigerated. Therefore, it’s a good idea to add an antioxidant into your mixture to prolong its useful life.
When you first purchase an essential oil it’s a good idea to write the date on the vial. Store in a dry, cool place, out of direct sunlight. Use a separate eyeglass dropper for each of your bottles to prevent cross-contamination. This will ensure that they are most effective for Aromatherapy purposes.
Eyedroppers should fit securely, but not tightly. Why? Too tight will cause you to lessen the life of your essential oil.
If you aren’t going to use your oil for a while, replace the dropper with a regular screw-on lid.
How to Improve Well-Being with Aromatherapy
One of the most satisfying things about Aromatherapy is more than its pleasant smell; it’s the ability to improve your overall well-being and mood. Plant extracts and essential oils are used just for this purpose. What’s not to love?
Combat a Cold – The best thing for a stuffed up nose is a powerful scent. Symptoms can be soothed with eucalyptus or peppermint oil. Simply place a drop on tissue and experience bliss!
Good Night’s Sleep – Use mandarin essentials in your diffuser before bedtime, or a handful of soaked cotton balls in front of your air vents to help you feel more restful at night.
Energize Your Day– Rosemary is known for its uplifting capabilities. Try putting this essential oil in a diffuser, or place a couple of drops in water with a tea light underneath.
Bathing Relaxation – What better way is there to relax after a hectic day than with earthy oils like sandalwood. Put about nine drops in your bath or a drop in your surrounding candles for ultimate relaxation.
Motivated Inspiration – Planning a get-together? What better way to enhance festive spirits than with citrus a citrus oil freshener like orange, lemon, and lime?
Favorite Scents – Wearing your favorite scent on your clothes is a great way to feel revitalized, confident, and refreshed. It also works to enhance your mood throughout the day.
6 Aromatherapy Travel Tips
If you’re planning a trip anytime soon, don’t forget how simple it is to take your essential oils with you on the road, air, or sea! Here we’ve gathered our favorite aromatherapy travel tips to enhance your next trip.
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Hand Sanitizer – Combine 4 drops of rosemary, lavender, tea tree, and raven Sara with Aloe Vera gel or jojoba oil in a small container.
- Jet Lag – Are you traveling across multiple time zones? Aromatherapy can help. Chamomiles or lavender can aid in sleep while eucalyptus or rosemary will help you stay awake.
- Car Diffuser – One of the simplest ways to use essential oils is in your vehicle. Simply add a few drops of rosemary or peppermint and plug into your vehicle’s cigarette light or power receptacle.
- Sunburnt Relief – Mix a couple of drops of lavender with either Aloe Vera or coconut oil for soothing relief.
- Motion Sickness – If planes, boats, or cars give you motion sickness try peppermint or ginger. Add a couple of drops into a go-anywhere inhaler or a diffuser necklace for relief.
- Pocket Roll-On – This is one of the easiest ways to take essential oils with you anywhere! Use pre-diluted oil combination safe for skin to roll on your neck, wrists, and pulse points.