Learn How To Use Essential Oils At Home

By Mattie MacDonald


Think of how certain scents can evoke specific memories. The smell of vanilla or cinnamon may remind you of your granny's kitchen while the green scent of freshly mowed grass may remind you of summer. Smell is one of the most powerful senses and if you know how to use essential oils at home, you'll find that it may even help improve your health.

The art of using smell as therapy is known as aromatherapy. Some smells can increase your energy levels while others will reduce stress and can help with insomnia. There are smells that have infection-fighting properties and ones that will relieve pain. Of course using aromatherapy is only suitable for minor ailments. It won't cure serious illnesses.

The easiest way to practice aromatherapy is by using essential oils. These are oils that capture the smells of certain plant products in a concentrated form. They can be produced in different ways, depending on the plant. For instance, sometimes they are simply pressed out, for example in the case of citrus skin that contains oil naturally. Most often, though, they're obtained through distilling the plant materials.

A simple way to use the essential oil of your choice is by heating it in an aromatherapy burner. This device normally consists of a bowl shape that contains the oil and is heated from below by a small candle to release the fragrant vapors. If you need to study, put some basil, grapefruit or other citrus oil in the burner to help improve your focus. Your house will smell wonderful too.

It's perfectly possible to use the aromatherapy oil on your skin as well. Tea tree oil, for instance, is great for treating infections. However, most oils should be diluted first, so add them to a carrier oil. Almond oil and grapeseed oil work particularly well but you can even use a fragrance-free skin cream. If you have sore and stiff muscles, massage them with a mixture containing clary sage, pine or lavender oil.

When you're suffering from a winter cold, there's a great way to open up clogged sinuses and relieve coughing. Simply add some peppermint and eucalyptus oil to a steam inhaler and let the vapors do their work. If you don't have a steam inhaler, use a bowl of boiling water instead, with a towel over your head to trap the steam. Add some lavender oil too to help you sleep.

A great way to use the different essential oils is to add them to homemade cosmetics, such as hair treatments or face masks. Choose them for their special properties or simply because you like the smell. You can even mix your favorites with some rubbing alcohol or vodka, let it stand for a couple of weeks and then use it as a unique perfume.

Among the most popular aromatherapy oils are lavender and tea tree. These works for a wide range of ailments and are widely available. You may even find them in your local supermarket. Chemists and health stores tend to stock a greater variety and for that highly specialized oil, simply get it online.




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