How to use essential Oils

You can use aromatherapy essential oils at home or work place in a number of ways.



Some of the common ways are:-

Aroma therapy Inhalation – Is a process where you add 2-3 drops of essential oil into boiling water and inhale the steam, by covering your head with a towel to stop the steam from escaping. This also opens the pores of the skin and so more oil is absorbed giving the benefits of a facial.

You can place the same bowl containing hot water and aroma oil under your bed so that your entire room is surrounded with aromatic fragrance. Handkerchiefs sprinkled with a drop or two of aroma oil is also beneficial. Similarly a tissue with aromatic oil can also be kept inside a pillow or cushion to have a relaxed and peaceful sleep.

Diffusers or Vaporizers – Diffusers are usually made of clay.



They have an opening where you can place candles or earthen lamps. The top portion is like a cup useful for holding water and a few drops of aromatic oil.

Fill in the cup with water, few drops of aromatic oil. Then light candle or lamp filled with castor oil so that it burns for a longer time. The whole atmosphere is filled with fragrance once the water and oil heat up and evaporation takes place for nearly 6 hours.



This can be used wherever scented air is required like gatherings, hotels, living rooms and even bedrooms. When the right essential oil is used there is an instant relief from pain and a relaxed positive feeling prevails.

Vaporizers are the insect repellents normally used in the forms of mats can be reused by the addition of 2-3 drops of essential oil and lighting them electrically. Slowly the soothing aroma is dispersed in the entire room. Citronella is used for repelling the insects lavender for bedroom, lemon or rosemary are useful for offices.



Tea-tree due to its antiseptic property can be used to disinfect a sick room.

Massage – Aromatherapy Massage gives us the simultaneous double benefits of touch therapy with scent therapy. Massage tones the muscles, releases energy from tense muscles, detoxifies toxins and above all, improves blood circulation. There is a sense of pleasure and well being when you inhale the fragrance. During massage a high amount of oil is able to penetrate through the skin.



Usually aroma oils are mixed with carrier oils like olive oil, sweet almond, sesame, coconut, sunflower and vegetable oil. Aroma oils should be used only after dilution, 10 drops or 1 tsp of essential oil can be mixed with 30ml of carrier oil for a rejuvenating effect.

Baths – You can add only a few drops of the selected aromatherapy bath oil to your bathtub or bucket. Stir well since some of the aroma oils are insoluble in water and spend 20 minutes in the tub. The aroma oil enters the body through the skin and gives a relaxed lasting effect.     
 
Foot Bath – After a hard days work you can have a very refreshing feeling by dipping your feet in a bowl of lukewarm water with 2-3 drops of essential oil.



This is useful even for sweaty and smelly feet.

Pot Pourri – This is a combination of dried flowers, herbs grass and seed pods to which a few drops of essential oil is added and kept in a bowl to give aromatic fragrance for 4-6 weeks. Another method is to keep the pot pourri mixture along with the essential oil in a container overnight and open the box the next morning so that the aroma spreads in the entire area. 

Bed Time – 2-3 drops on the pillow cover while sleeping, is useful in treating headaches, stress, tension and in boosting confidence.