Birch Hill Happenings Aromatherapy, LLC Newsletter Vol 111

March 12, 2008

In this issue:
PHYSICAL
EMOTIONAL
BEAUTY
HOUSE & GARDEN
RECIPES to Try

Physical Ailment

Fibromyalgia

by Penny Keay

This Article has been updated, revised and moved to it's new location. Click Here to read the Article.

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Health and Beauty

The Different Types of Aromatherapy

by Penny Keay

Surprise!! There is more than one type of aromatherapy!! BUT they all involve the use of essential oils.

We practice Holistic Aromatherapy

– this is where you look at the whole body and not necessarily just one part. We look at your emotional, spiritual and physical health. So as many of you know that have written to us for suggestions, you will see we will make suggestions about other aspects of your life and health too. The Holistic aromatherapist will cover most of the other categories or types of aromatherapy to varying degrees you can continue to read about them below.

Nursing Aromatherapy

– we are not just talking about the Registered nurses here – although many of them may use it, we are talking about the use of essential oils while not only taking care of hospitalized or institutionalized patients but the use of essential oils to fight germs, and for use in massage, the human touch, and more while caring for them in many ways, physically and emotionally. Nursing aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and how they help both the nursing staff and the residents.

Medical Aromatherapy

– this is a more in depth study of how essential oils can help ones health concerns. It covers many of the same aspects as holistic aromatherapy, including the effects of essential oils on the bodies chemical, hormonal and immune systems. Studies are made on not only involving the physical aspects of the use of essential oils but also the psychological effects that might result from the chemical changes.

Esthetic Aromatherapy

– is the true cosmetic uses of essential oils in beauty and skin care. It mainly deals with different skin types and conditions, using essential oils for improving different skin ailments. Some may deal with hair and scalp care too.

Psychological and Spiritual aromatherapy

- This is the use of essential oils for emotional and mind effects. This includes the use of various essential oils and herbs used for religious rituals. This sub-category also involves the personal use while meditating, mind clearing and much more. The Psychological uses of essential oils may include how they help with many emotional aspects from grieving, depression and memory with the list in this sub category which is very long.

Animal Aromatherapy

– this is of course the use of essential oils and distillation waters for our furry and feathery friends. This is a very specialized form of aromatherapy and needs to be approached with caution. Animals do not have the same kind of metabolism or body chemistry as humans and what works for people won’t necessarily work on animals. We do not practice animal aromatherapy as there is too much to learn about using essential oils on people.

There are many courses of study in the wonderful world of natural scents. If you decide you want to know more, we suggest you pick up several different aromatherapy books. Some will cover these different practices in varying degrees in every authored book. Many authors will specify what they are more comfortable and knowledgeable about when it comes to the use of essential oils in aromatherapy.

Since we practice and study Holistic Aromatherapy, our reference library is extremely large and we have books covering just about all the above sub-categories. We’ll make suggestions where we can about any of the sub-categories if we can find references to the question you are asking. But please note, not for animals, we just don’t have enough reference material or knowledge in that area when in comes to aromatherapy for use on your pets.

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Around the House and Office

TITLE Choosing A Diffuser – The Variables

by Penny Keay

There are dozens of ways to use essential oils and the most common method is to diffuse them into the air. But this is where the dilemma begins. How do you know what diffuser will work best for your situation.

There are several things you must look at – we call them the “variables”.

Included in this list are the following items:

The size of the room
Your desired effects –why are you diffusing
The noise
The air flow
The area you are scenting
The type of diffuser you wish to use or can use.
The time factor
The saturation level

Now lets look at each variable and ask some more questions.

The size of the room

- you will need to get a tape measure out and measure the room floor size.

Length times width will tell you the square footage. So a 10 X 12 room is 120 square feet of floor.

BUT you must also consider the height of the room. Does it have 7, 8, 9, 10 or higher ceilings?

This can increase the volume of the room considerably and may alter the type of diffuser you should consider to use.

The desired effects

– are you diffusing for general scenting, for relaxing effects, energizing or disinfecting.

The noise factor

– passive diffusers and Oil and Tart warmerseither Tealight or electric are completely silent, any diffuser that uses a fan or Atomizer will produce noise to varying degrees.

If you are trying to sleep – fans can be a nice source of ‘white noise’ for others it can be annoying. For use while sleeping – if fan noise bothers you, then use a passive diffuser or place the fan diffuser on a towel or other sound absorbing cloth.

Do not use a heat source diffuser while sleeping.

Air Flow

- This can be a very important variable. Are doors opening and closing constantly, or is there an over head venting system for constant air flow in place.

New air quality standards may make many types of essential oil diffusers ineffective in office settings.

The type of room or area

- Kitchen, living room, bathroom - Is the room a closed room. Or is it in a busy office waiting room.

Or do you just want some scenting near where you are sitting – watching TV or working on at a computer.

The type of diffuser

- Do you want electric, if so, a heating type ? a fan type? If used in an office, can you use a glass or ceramic product or does it have to have unbreakable parts?

Are you allowed open flames? If not, a tea light type diffuser would be out of the question. Do you have children or pets, the elderly or infirm? You especially don’t want them to touch, bump or play with the diffuser.

The Time factor

- You will have to apply essential oils every few hours no matter what type of diffuser. Some may require less attending then others.

Essential oils are not like Fragrance oils. Essential oils, unless you are using a blend containing a lot of heavy base notes, will need to add more essential oils to your diffuser every 2-4 hours.

Fragrance oils have extenders or chemicals to make them last – but they are not good for your health. Fragrance oils cannot be used in many of the essential oil diffusers as it will void their warranties.

The second part of the time factor is how long to diffuse the oils. All day, just a few minutes, every couple hours. You may need to find a timer.

The Saturation level

- Remember in aromatherapy and the use of essential oils – more is NOT better.

Some folks have asked how to get a scent so strong so they can smell it ALL the time. Well, unfortunately this is not possible.

Olfactory Fatigue

Our suggestion is to use different scents in different rooms or areas. But even then you will be accustomed to the smell or scents within a few minutes. You’ll probably smell the oils when you first walk into a room but normally your body will become accustomed to the smell quickly.

This is called Olfactory fatigue.

It is part of the primal (basic) defense system of our bodies. When a scent is not considered a threat to our survival, our bodies will automatically block it out while searching and being alert for the next threat via smell.

Thank goodness for most of us we can quickly reset it as we walk from room to room that have various scents. Or stepping outdoors can reset it – what do you smell outside?

If you no longer smell any essential oils that are diffusing – you may need to add more. Learn how to use your diffuser that will suit you and your family or office companions to give everyone the level that is satisfactory to all.

Now onto a list of suggestions:

Room size

- small areas to large areas – Passive diffusers, Scentball, Tru Melange, Spa Scenter’s, FanFuser’s, tealight diffusers, Oil/Tart warmers, Atomizer.

Desired effect

- This is a large category and general guidelines are again – More essential oils in the air is not necessarily better. You can put too much in the air and have undesirable results.

Noise Factor

- If you need a quiet diffuser – use passive, scent ball or oil and tart warmers. Fan diffusers motors are usually quieter than Atomizer type diffusers.

Air Flow

- Little or no air movement in the room or area – use a passive, scent ball or fan diffusers.

Moderate air movements you can use Scentball, tealight diffusers and oil /tart warmers, fan diffusers. A lot of traffic or opening and closing doors – place several Scentball, use several fan diffusers, oil-tart warmers or Atomizer (on timers).

Type of Room or Space

- small areas – personal areas like at your desk or while reading – Jewelry, passive diffusers, Scentball.

As space increases, you can use Scentball and Fan diffusers. Larger areas Oil and Tart warmers either Tealight warmed or electric warmed. Large rooms Oil/tart warmers that use electricity and soy tarts.

Extremely large areas you should probably use Atomizer - again on timers.

Type of Diffuser

- More questions - Breakage factor – Scentball are pretty much indestructible.

The SpaScenter can take pretty rough handling but plastic can still break and there is the factor of electricity involved.

If you can’t use electricity your only option may be a passive diffuser, but they can be dropped and break too, but normally do not shatter. Another option would be a battery operated fan diffuser.

Safest diffuser around pets and children are Fan diffusers such as the SpaScenter and TruMelange.

Heat style – Oil and Tart warmers can produce very warm wax or hot water and if there is a possibility the diffuser can be bumped or knocked by a child or pet – you should reconsider using such a unit.

Open flames cannot typically be used in public settings or office buildings – check with your local fire marshal. Most Atomizer have glass and other breakable parts and may not be able to be used in office settings. Check with your office manager. There may be other concerns.

Time factor

- If you are looking for all day diffusion – you will have to remember to add more essential oils throughout the day. If you just need an hour or two – just add a few drops to any of the diffuser types.

If you want several hours of diffusion you can try an oil or tart warmer as they can hold more essential oils and may give you the appropriate scent for your needs. These units can also be put on timers.

If you work in a busy office and can use a tart warmer – putting them on a timer with 2 hours on and 2 hours off may provide the best solution for your office.

Or you may need to use an Atomizer diffuser on a timer – typically they should be set to diffuse for 10-15 minutes on and then be off for 1½ hours. Unless you are disinfecting a room that you will not be occupied for several hours – Atomizer should not be run for hours on end.

Saturation level

- This is a personal preference but again, more essential oils is not better.

You will want to experiment with different types of essential oils in different types of diffusers to see what one will give you the scenting level you prefer.

Smaller diffusers in a large room probably won’t provide you with adequate saturation and a large oil or tart warmer in a tiny bathroom would be over saturation. See the room size guidelines to help with the saturation factor.

We hope this helps to decide what might be the right diffuser for you. For complete descriptions of all the different types of diffusers we have available please visit our website and visit our https://birchhillhappenings.com/aroma4a.htm page or visit each of the items below as found in our on line catalog pages.

Passive diffusers – terra cotta discs, organza bags with Aroma beads
Jewelry, Sterling Silver, Brass & Pewter
Jewelry, Terra Cotta Pendants
Scentballs (electric) and Car diffusers
a battery operated fan diffuser
Tru Melange – both electric and battery fan diffuser
SpaScenters - variable speed electric fan diffuser
Fan Fuser - two speed electric fan diffuser
Tealight oil and tart warmers in Glass or Ceramic
Oil and Tart warmers that are electric heat source .
Atomizer – see Diffuser Worlds wonderful selections See the link at the bottom of the page.

If you still have question or are unsure please send us an e-mail with your questions.