Aromatherapy Newbies: 10 Tips
I remember when I first discovered aromatherapy several years ago. I was fascinated by essential oils and excited to try using them. Looking back, I realize I should have done a bit more research before diving into aromatherapy. I offer you the advice I wish I’d had when I was an aromatherapy novice:
1. Buy One or Two Aromatherapy Books
Choose just one or two books to start your aromatherapy library. Select books that are general resources, which will give you some basic information and help you discover the areas in which you have the most interest. Two of my favorites Are Colleen K Dodt’s “The Essential Oils Book”, and Joy Bowles’ “The A-to-Z of Essential Oils”.
2. Join Aromatherapy Discussion Forums
Forums are great resources for aromatherapy newbies. Read past discussions, ask questions, and learn from others. The Yahoo Group Aromatherapy for Everyone is a friendly place for beginners, and members range from novices to experts.
3. Do Some Research on the Internet
While it’s nice to have an aromatherapy book or two at your fingertips, there are some excellent resources on the internet, too. Be a critical reader, though, and consider your source. Information offered by a manufacturer or affiliate seller may not be as trustworthy as information offered by a more objective source. Aromatherapy websites I refer to over and over include AromaWeb and Wavelengths Natural Health Aromatherapy.
4. Choose Five or Ten Essential Oils to Start
Though you may be tempted to buy more, try to begin with just five or ten different essential oils. Essential oils can be quite expensive, so you may want to experiment with a few at first and then invest in more if you decide to pursue aromatherapy further.
5. Make Sure to Buy 100%, Pure, Unadulterated Essential Oils
When you buy essential oils, choose a well-known and reputable manufacturer. Synthetic, fragrance, and perfume oils are not essential oils – they contain man-made chemicals and have no aromatherapeutic value.
6. Buy at Least One Carrier Oil
For nearly all topical aromatherapy applications, you will need to dilute essential oils into a carrier oil. Good all-purpose carrier oils include sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and grapeseed oil. Buy cosmetic grade carrier oils, and use only a few drops of essential oil(s) per ounce of carrier oil.
7. Store Your Oils Properly
Essential oils should be stored only in dark glass containers. Since essential oils are volatile, keep the lids tightly closed. Essential oils and carrier oils should be stored away from heat and light. Carrier oils will go rancid eventually, so it’s best to buy smaller quantities.
8. Learn How to Do a Patch Test
Essential oils can cause adverse reactions, due to allergy or due to sensitization over time. A patch test helps to determine whether you might react to a particular essential oil. Learn how to perform a skin patch test on yourself with each new oil you want to use topically.
9. Don’t Use Aromatherapy with Children or Pets
Until you are thoroughly familiar with essential oils and associated safety issues, don’t use them on children or pets, or while pregnant or breastfeeding. Cats, in particular, may be adversely affected by essential oils. Make sure essential oils are kept out of reach of children.
10. Don’t Ingest Essential Oils
Though you will read conflicting information about taking essential oils internally, you should avoid doing this. Some essential oils that are fairly safe to use topically may be quite toxic if taken internally. In addition, some essential oils may interact with prescription or over the counter drugs.
As you experiment with and learn more about aromatherapy, you will become more confident using essential oils. There is so much to explore, so be safe and have fun!
Aromatherapy treatment – alternative medicine
Aromatherapy presents an alternative treatment to people. Several people have found aromatherapy treatment to be helpful in cases of asthma, eczema, stress, menopause, etc. The following article has dealt with the aromatherapy treatment in some common ailments.
Arthritis had Mrs. Thompson grounded for years. She had seen several doctors with no permanent solution to the problem. As an alternative medicinal stream, Mrs. Thomson agreed to use aromatherapy.
Regular massage with the essential oils of lemon balm, rose, black spruce, tarragon and jasmine was recommended. She testifies to the positive effect aromatherapy had on her condition.
Many people like Mrs. Thompson have found relief in aromatherapy treatment. The system of aromatherapy treatment utilizes aromas and scents to heal the human being as a whole. Aromas and scents are derived from several plants and herbs.
Research that has been undertaken on plants and herbs from the ancient times until now has helped determine their therapeutic benefits. However, more than a science, aromatherapy is an art and involves a creative approach in making specific blends.
Essential oils have an important role to play in aromatherapy treatment. An essential oil is the essence of plants derived through a process whereby plants are distilled through steam or water.
What we get through the process is a concentrated essential oil, of which a few drops are capable of giving the desired effect.
One of the first known discoveries of the therapeutic benefits of essential oils was made by French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé. Gattefossé is also credited with coining the term aromatherapy.
When he got a burn on his hand, he accidentally put his hand in a jar full of lavender oil. He was surprised to see that he got immediate relief and the burn left no scars on his hand. Through further research, he established the healing powers of lavender oil.
Some of the common ailments where aromatherapy treatment has been accepted as a potent solution are anxiety, stress or insomnia, muscular aches and pains, headaches, eczema, digestive problems, menstrual or menopausal problems, etc.
Therefore, aromatherapy treatments heal physically as well as psychologically.
A common respiratory disorder is asthma. This is caused through contact with allergen, after a tiring exercise session or through infection. An asthmatic person experiences shortness of breath, cough and mucous production as a result of inflammation or contraction of the bronchi.
The condition can be treated through aromatherapy treatment. The oils of clove bud and lemongrass have been recognised to have anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious properties. These oils along with the oils of lemon, clary sage, and angelica can be very useful for treating asthma.
Aromatherapy products are available in several stores, referred to as aromatherapy stores. These stock preparations made from herbs and plants sourced from different parts of the world; mostly, the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and the Africas.
However, the use of aromatherapy treatments must be strictly prescriptive. Toiletries, which use aromas and scents, use a very small amount of essential oils. Therefore, they are not harmful.
As said earlier, essential oils are highly concentrated. If a larger dosage of it is taken, then can result in irritation or be poisonous, when used with food or drink.
Did you think essential oils being derived from plants are free from side effects? No, they are not. The common side effects of essential oils are nausea, headaches etc.
Get help from an expert practitioner on the appropriate treatment for ones condition. The person who practices aromatherapy treatment is known as aromatherapist. He either will massage the oil on the skin or would suggest the appropriate method of use.
Just as one would check the credentials of a doctor practising in contemporary medicine, it is important to know whether the aromatherapist has been trained in aromatherapy treatment. An aromatherapist proceeds in the same manner as a common doctor.
He will first get a detailed medical history of the individual through a series of questions on diet, lifestyle, and health problems. This goes well with the system of aromatherapy healing where the whole rather than one particular ailment is considered for treatment.
A Beginner’s Guide To Using Aromatherapy With Children
Trust your instinct – a beginner’s guide to using aromatherapy with children:
Essential oils are pure aromatic plant essences – they are distilled from flowers, fruit, leaves, resins, roots, seeds, and wood. They are used for their healing properties the world over and usually they are only available through licensed, qualified parishioners.
In the United States, we have free access to essential oils – but with this comes with some important cautions: Only some of the essential oils available are suitable for children; others are not suitable for children and some are even dangerous to children (children with epilepsy should not come in contact with stimulating essential oils).
When used correctly however, essential oils can be of great benefit, and will not conflict with your child’s medically prescribed drugs. Always research the oil of choice thoroughly before using with your infant or child – ask advice from a qualified practitioner, or see the references at the end of this article.
That said, essential oils can be a wonderful way of supporting your child’s health, happiness and well-being. Essential oils can be very therapeutic and nurturing to both your child and you, the caregiver. Essential oils are used externally (on the outside of the body) in your child’s bath, body lotions, oils, creams, gels, compresses, foot baths, or in a oil warmer.
The effects of aromatherapy will generally fall into one of three main categories: 1) Assisting in healing from minor illnesses and accidents, 2) Supporting your child’s overall sense of well-being, and 3) Assisting your child in getting quality rest.
When using essential oils with your child, it is imperative that you find a reputable supplier of therapeutic-grade essential oils, using organic or wildcrafted varieties when possible.
Synthetic copies of oils commonly used in perfumery are not appropriate, and may even be harmful to your child’s health. To maintain efficacy, essential oils should be kept in dark amber or cobalt glass containers, in a dark and cool location, away from the child’s access.
Wooden storage boxes from craft or ‘Pier One’ type stores can make a nice container for the bottles.
Methods of Using Essential Oils
There are two methods of using essential oils with your child – INHALATION: through a diffuser, nebulizer, or adding to a humidifier reservoir, and TOPICAL APPLICATION: diluting the essential oil in a carrier oil and applying topically.
Adding essential oils to a bath combines the two methods, though we will cover it under topical application.
For topical application, essential oils are diluted in varying strengths depending on the use and age of your child.
The concentration can vary from one drop of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil, to a couple of drops per teaspoon of carrier added to a drawn bath, to an equal ratio of carrier and essential oil applied directly to your child’s feet (as in the case of gentle Lavender).
In other words, there is a huge variation in dilution levels depending on the circumstances. Mamas, do your research and then trust your instinct. Only you and your child baby know exactly what is right for your situation.
General dilution rate guidelines of essential oils in one ounce of carrier oil:
Age of Child and amount of Essential Oil per One Ounce Carrier Oil for Topical/Massage Application:
Newborn (Consult primary care physician before use): 1-3 drops essential oil / ounce
2-6 months: 1-3 drops essential oil / ounce
6-12 months: 1-4 drops essential oil / ounce
1-4 years (unless very small): 5-8 drops essential oil / ounce
6-7 years: 5-10 drops essential oil / ounce
9-12 years: 5-12 drops essential oil / ounce
12 years to young adult: 10-15 drops essential oil / ounce
DO NOT USE AN ESSENTIAL OIL NEAT (undiluted ) on children’s skin, unless indicated to do so for a specific condition. If your child has very sensitive skin, it is important to test a small area before using a new single oil or blend.
Keep essential oils away form the eyes. When using citrus oils – orange, bergamot, lemon, tangerine, mandarin, and lime – do not use where the skin will be exposed to sunlight for the next 12 hours.
These oils are considered ‘phototoxic’, and can react from the sun’s rays. They may be used in a bath, however, where they will be washed off the skin when the bath is done.
Essential oils are not to be taken orally (by mouth). When your child is taking medications, reduce the amount of essential oil by half the amount recommended for their age group.
Carrier oils for children
Sweet Almond oil is generally regarded as the safest and best overall carrier oil for use with babies and children. Apricot kernel oil is also considered extremely safe with children over 6.
Jojoba oil can be added at about 10% concentration for any blend – it has a soothing effect on the skin and is good for hair.
Topical Application – Nurturing Touch Massage Recipes
There is nothing better for any child than the loving, nurturing touch of a parent. A gentle hug, a smile, a kiss on the cheek all reassure the child and help the parent and child to bond. These everyday forms of connection are instinctual and children thrive from it.
Research shows that massage can help children’s growth both physically and emotionally. In hospitals, studies done with premature baby’s show that touch is an essential aspect of the children’s ability to thrive.
Using aromatherapeutic nurturing touch massage can be therapeutic to both the child and the parent. Using a light, conscientious touch you can massage your child’s feet, arms, hands, back, abdomen, and even legs.
The massage should always be done with loving intention and the work is done in the direction that the blood flows-from ankles to leg; from wrist to shoulder, etc.
Here are a few suggested blends for this wonderful method – each is in one (1) ounce of Sweet Almond oil:
Restful Sleep – 4 drops lavender, 2 drops Roman Chamomile
Happy Child – 3 drops Rose, 1 drop Neroli
Calm and Relaxed – 3 drops Petitgrain, 3 drops Neroli
Emotional Nurturing – 1 drop Rose, 1 drop Vanilla, 2 drops Lavender
For a Baby oil blend, to be used as a moisturizer OR massage oil (note: the frequent washing of a baby’s skin actually makes it difficult for them to retain vitamin C; application of a quality skin oil will help them keep adequate supplies of this important nutrient).
1 ounce of organic sweet almond oil or hazelnut oil
1 drop of pure Lavender essential oil
1 drop of Vanilla essential oil
OR
1 ounce of organic sweet almond oil
2 drops of pure Lavender essential oil
1 drop of pure Chamomile (German) essential oil
The above blends can also be added to the bath. One teaspoon with the following amount of essential oils added can be added AFTER the bath is filled, per the age of the child: 3-5 years, 2 drops; 6-8 years, 3 drops; 8-11 years, 5 drops. Perhaps the easiest way to do this would be to make a full strength blend (without carrier oil) of your choice, then dilute as needed for the application.
Inhalation of essential oils
For inhalation, one can apply one or two drops to a handkerchief and inhale, or add oils to a water misting bottle or humidifier.
Calming essential oils that may be used are Lavender (recommended for sleep – one to four drops can be placed under the pillow), Mandarin, Roman Chamomile, Ho Wood (an ecologically friendly replacement for Rosewood), Tangerine, Petitgrain, Vanilla, and Neroli.
Use these oils singly, create your own blend, or use one of the body oil blends above without the carrier oil. A few drops per quart of water in a mister sprayed throughout a room or added humidifier reservoir will do.
For an anti-anxiety blend: Try 5 drops bergamot, 1 drop lavender and 3 drops geranium – dilute to 10 drops per ½ pint of water for a room spray or use in a humidifier, or dilute to the appropriate level for your child’s age if using topically.
For alertness, try lemon, bergamot, grapefruit or pine, either singly or in a blend that pleases your senses (usually the best way to blend is to trust your nose!)
Essential oils can also be used in a candle lamp or warmer – with the oil gently evaporated from the surface of a small bowl of water by the heat of a candle. An electric nebulizing diffuser is generally not recommended for use with children, as the concentration of oils in the air can be too high.
Last but not least, essential oils are wonderful antiseptics.
Cuts and scrapes are simply a way of life for the little ones! A great blend for minor wounds is a 1:1 mix of Lavender and Tea Tree oil.
The lavender is soothing, anti-inflammatory, and has regenerative ‘ketones’, while the tea tree is a strong antiseptic used for many generations by native Australians.
Use this blend in the water used for cleaning wounds, and apply a few drops to the gauze of a bandage – do not apply directly to the skin as it will be unnecessarily irritating. On the bandage, however, it will be soothing and accelerate the healing process.
So this is a very brief overview of using essential oils with children. There are many, many diverse applications for essential oils for almost every conceivable minor ailment seen in childhood.
The key is knowledge – finding a good practitioner, or reputable resource for your needs. For further reading, books by Valerie Ann Woorwood are excellent: “Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child” and “The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy”; for safety data, see “Essential Oil Safety” by Robert Tisserand and Tony Balacs.
The essential oils mentioned within this article are recognized as safe for most individuals – if you or your child are recognized as having a specific illness, and/or are under a doctor’s regular care, please consult an appropriate practitioner before proceeding.
That said, aromatherpy can be a very fun and rewarding endevor for both you and your child. Essential oils have benefited the lives of many the world over, and have a little bit of plant magic available to everyone.
Aromatherapy Essential Oils: Seven Things You Should Know
Aromatherapy uses essential oils to treat medical conditions, to alleviate psychological ailments, for cosmetic purposes, and to reduce stress. The essential oils of aromatherapy have the power to enhance both your physical and mental state.
Essential oils are extracted from living plants and trees. When essential oils are used appropriately, most can be used at home safely, enjoyably, and with beneficial effects. Keep the following seven things in mind if you want to try aromatherapy at home.
(1) Most essential oils should never be applied directly without diluting them. Only lavender and tea tree oil are exceptions to this rule.
(2) Essential oils are flammable, so use extreme caution around flames and heat sources. If you use a burner to diffuse the oil, put water in the burner first. The essential oil will enter the air as the water evaporates.
(3) Essential oils are for external use only. On very rare occasions, a qualified aromatherapist may prescribe essential oils by mouth. Some essential oils can be very toxic if swallowed. Even essential oils that have a therapeutic effect when diluted in certain oral treatments (like mouthwash) should not be swallowed.
(4) Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.
(5) If you want to use essential oils during pregnancy, on babies, or with young children, please seek the advice of a trained, qualified aromatherapist first.
(6) If you are using essential oils as part of homeopathic or herbal medicine treatment, get advice from homeopathic or herbal medicine practitioners as well as from an aromatherapist.
(7) Some medical conditions require a doctor’s care, and not all medical conditions benefit from aromatherapy. Always check with your doctor first before undertaking aromatherapy for the treatment of any medical condition.
Following these seven principles for safe aromatherapy will help your experience with aromatherapy to be both enjoyable and beneficial.
Aromatherapy Massage Oil – Adding Ease To Your Life
Hectic schedule may be leaving you stressful resulting in enormous strain and pressure. If you too are caught up in the same situation and looking for a solution to relieve the stress, then massage with aromatherapy massage oil can be the perfect solution to get relaxed and regaining the freshness that you had missing for a long time.
Massage serves as an active stress antidote. Various massage oils are available in the market but if you are looking for the best and the natural one then aromatherapy massage oil would definitely pose to be the best option.
Nature presents the best cure. In the past, natural herbs were used as an ailment to curb the disease and other problems. But, in the past few decades whole arena has changed there has been a rapid increase in the usage of chemicals, which have adversely affected the body and skin of many people.
But, aromatherapy has introduced a breakthrough to the shell of troubles that artificial oil massages has been creating. Relax and cure various joint with a little massage all over your body with aromatherapy massage oil.
Aromatherapy massage oil can be put to diverse uses namely relaxation, romance, stress reliever, children’s massage and many more depending on your aspirations and needs.
Just a simple massage with aromatherapy massage oil works as a helpful healing process, where disease or injury has occurred in muscles, connective tissues, bones or any other part of the body.
You can choose the most appropriate massage oil that suits your needs and aspirations the best. If you find it difficult to decide which aromatherapy massage oil is appropriate for you, seek the advice of professional cosmetologist who can guide about the suitable oil that suit your type of skin to the best.
You can look for massage oils in the shops nearer to your home. But, in case you don’t want to indulge in troubles involved in going out and shopping. One more easier and faster option is available, the Internet.
You can browse through various sites selling access wide range of aromatherapy massage oil. They also give you the benefit of reasonable low prices on bulk purchase of aromatherapy massage oil.
Internet can be the one stop shop for you, you can compare the prices of massage oil offered by various sellers and can choose the appropriate message oil accordingly.
Get stress free the natural way with aromatherapy massage oil that can help you relieve the stress by activating your body cells and toning your body. Make the best use of Internet shopping that gives you an added advantage of getting the desired massage oil from the comfort of your home.
Aromatherapy Massage Oils
If you’ve never used aromatherapy massage oils, you owe it to yourself to try it. You’re in for a totally unique experience. Whether you want a massage to relax or to rejuvenate or even to heal, using aromatherapy massage oils brings the body’s senses to new heights.
Aromatherapy has made steady gains in use and for good reason. Offering the perfect combination of mental and physical well being, there is no better way to take advantage of aromatherapy than to enjoy its fragrances in massage oils.
Our body’s different senses have been shown to have a direct affect on how we feel. For example, the nose is a very sensitive part of your body. Without it, you cannot taste or smell.
Imagine your favorite foods. Now, imagine you cannot taste them. That is scary, everything you eat with no taste! How do you think that would affect your attitude throughout the day?
Studies have shown that the part of your nervous system that helps to control your emotions is connected directly to your nose. Lack of smell can cause symptoms ranging from depression to anxiety and this is only one of your senses.
With the knowledge of how the mind depends on the feedback from your senses, the idea of aromatherapy exploded onto the scene.
One of the more popular types of aromatherapy is massage oil, because of the variety of uses to target specific issues. Aromatherapy massage oil treatments are unlike any other oils.
Whether you are in need of relaxation or need something to perk you up, there is an aroma to fit the immediate needs. Aromatherapy massage combines two excellent methods to evoke your body’s response in whatever area you feel is needed.
There are so many different types and manufacturers of aromatherapy massage oils available, it would be a good idea to do your homework before using.
For the best treatment ideas, it is always best to find and pay a certified therapist to ensure you understand how to get the most impact from aromatherapy massage. Especially, when using for the first time.
To explain a couple of different oils and fragrances we will start with Lavender essential oils. Lavender essential oils are one of the few oils that you can apply directly to your skin.
It is said to have burn relief power. It is important to note that these oils should not hurt you, however, if this is your first time using essential oils never use them directly on your skin unless under safe direction. Other oils are required to be diluted before use with other base oils.
Another oil gaining in popularity is the Yland Ylang essential oil. Yland Ylang essential oils have very unique properties as well. It is said that these tropical plants have the power to both arouse and sooth the senses. It also goes by another name Cananga Odorata.
Adding aromatherapy massage oils to your therapy program is one experience everyone should try at least once. (Be careful they have been known to be addictive). With the combination of massage and a scented room to awaken your senses, you have the ultimate in relaxation and healing.
Aromatherapy store – shop for your alternative medical needs
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and essences extracted from flowers, herbs, and trees for health and well-being of the users. In the ancient times, the kings would dispatch people deep into the jungles, often faraway from the kingdom in search of herbs with medicinal qualities.
As kings and kingdoms were lost in oblivion, so was the practice of collecting herbs. With the renewed interest in herbs and aromatherapy, scientists are now researching on herbs located in different parts of the world.
The research of these scientists is brought to the benefit of common people in the form of aromatherapy store.
An aromatherapy store resembles a local chemist’s shop, which stores medicines and other formulations. A multitude of herbs sourced from all corners of the world, in raw form as well as mixed with several preparations are available at an aromatherapy store.
The benefit of having an aromatherapy store is that all kinds of herbs are available at one place. A large number of herbs are sourced from the Indian subcontinent, Middle East, Africa etc.
Thanks to aromatherapy store, customers residing in Europe, the Americas etc. too can benefit from the herbs. Essential oils, herbs, absolutes, ayurvedic preparations, herbal tea, and quite a lot of aromatherapy products can be purchased at an aromatherapy store.
The quality of products available at these stores is given much attention. Certain products like henna are best and tan the skin strongly when prepared from a newly harvested crop.
Through an extensive mechanism of obtaining herbs and plants from all over the world, these aromatherapy stores secure the newly harvested crops of the henna plant.
Most aromatherapy stores stock products, which have been certified as to their quality. Essential oils with certification from ECOCERT International are well acclaimed through out the world.
ECOCERT International certifies as to the plant or raw material having been organically farmed. In the UK, essential oils need a certification by Soil Association.
Many aromatherapy stores have opened their chain of shops in numerous cities, often spanning several countries. The proprietor of these aromatherapy stores are capable of catering to the requirements of customers residing in other countries of the world.
Additionally, it becomes easier for the proprietor to research on newer formulations and adds them to the list of aromatherapy products.
Most aromatherapy stores hold the products in multiple shapes and sizes, suitable for different demands. Expensive oils are available in sizes of 2ml and 1 dram. Regular essential oils are available in relatively larger container sizes such as 5ml, 10ml and 15ml.
The appropriate size and type of containers too can be purchased at an aromatherapy store. These stores also hold aromatherapy accessorises such as incense burners, aromalamps, essential oil diffusers, inhalers, etc.
Therefore, all the demands of people regarding aromatherapy products can be met here at an aromatherapy store.