Aromatherapy
What is Aromatherapy? Continued

by Penny Keay

WHAT OILS SHOULD I START WITH?

Some oils we suggest to start with are Lavender, Rosemary, Tea Tree (Australian), Ylang Ylang, Peppermint, and Lemon. You can put 3-4 drops in the bath and enjoy. Peppermint has a powerful aroma, so just use 1, maybe 2, drops. Remember to mix these with a base oil, such as: jojoba, sweet almond, or any other base or carrier oil, if they are to used for massage. Essential oils by themselves can be a skin-irritant.

About those 6 oils:

Lavender-- Lavandula officinalis

is used for a wide variety of things. One of the most helpful is in the treatment of scalds and burns. This should be your FIRST oil! No household should be without this one.

How to use: in a warm bath 3-5 drops and soak for 20 minutes; diffusers, 3-5 drops; inhalation, from the bottle or 2-3 drops on a tissue and carry with you, 2-3 drops on your pillow for a good nights sleep; Laundry-put 3-4 drops on a damp washcloth and throw it in the dryer. Lavender blends well with most other oils.

Eucalyptus--Eucalyptus globulus

-- is used to treat colds, flu, acne, viral infections, cuts, burns, stress, depression, and mental exhaustion.

How to use: for sinusitis or bronchitis, inhale a drop or two on a cottonball; for a stuffy nose put 3-4 drops in a diffuser for the room or 3-4 drops on a hot washcloth and hold to you face, (with your eyes closed). Blends well with lemon, lavender, pine, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, bergamot, and cedarwood.

Cautions: Do not take with homeopathic medicines or use in strong dilutions on the skin.

Lemon--Citrus limonum

-is used as an astringent and antiseptic that is good for itchy skin conditions; such as eczema; or also on oily skin. It is also used for stress management, anxiety, tension and mental fatigue.

How to use: 5-6 drops in dishwater, helps cut grease, smells great and leaves skin feeling soft. As an Air freshener, 6-7 drops in a spray bottle; Add to your bath, 2-3 drops. Lemon blends well with other citrus oils and fresh scents, such as; ylang ylang, pine, juniper, lavendar.

Cautions: Do not use lemon oils on the skin when in direct sunlight.

Peppermint--Mentha piperita

--Peppermint is really good for upset stomachs, stress, depression, tension, it's a stimulant, and will help clear the sinuses.

How to use: Inhalation, from the bottle, or put a couple of drops on a cottonball in the car to keep you alert; in the bath, 2-3 drops (no more due to skin irritation). Peppermint blends well with lavender and eucalyptus.

Cautions: Avoid contact with mucous membranes. Do not use with other homeopathic medicines.

Rosemary--Rosmarinus officinalis

--is used to treat stress, has an uplifting affect for concentration and memory, releives muscle aches and pains, migraines, arthritis, colds, skin problems (acne, cellulite) and hair care.

How to use: As a Memory enhancer, place 1-2 drops on a cottonball and inhale; in a diffuser, mix with orange to clean and refresh the air.

Cautions: Can cause a skin irritation.

Tea Tree (Australian)--Melaleuca alternifolia

--is an antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial oil. It is used to treat boils, burns, warts, genital herpes, ringworm, acne, sunburn, and much much more.

How to use: After showering use on boils, warts, and fungus put a drop on area after drying yourself. In the diffuser, use 2-3 drops for clean air. Blends well with lavendar, pine, marjoram, rosemary, clove, and other spic oils.

Cautions:Some say it irritates the skin. Consult with a trained aromatherapist, if in doubt.

Ylang ylang--Cananga odorata

--is known as the flower of flowers. It has a sweet, exotic floral aroma. It has many healing properties, such as: antidepressant, aphrodisiac, sedative, and an antiseptic. It is useful for treating acne, irritated or oily skin, and as a hair rinse or tonic for hair growth. Also good on insect bites.

How to use: Massage, mix with the right base oil for your skin; In a diffuser, depending on the diffuser, 3-4 drops to calm nerves and to create romantic atmosphere; In the bath, try 2 drops of ylang-ylang, 2 drops of rose, and 3-4 drops of lavender. Blends well with lavender, sandalwood, lemon, bergamot, jasmine, neroli, rose.

Cautions: It may cause skin irritation in some people.

DO's and DON'T's

• +Do Consult a trained Aromatherapist before using essential oils, especially if you are uncertain about their properties or use.
• +Do Read about Aromatherapy, ask questions!
• +Do KEEP AWAY from CHILDREN. Some essential oils can be very toxic in small quantities. Keep away from your pets! Use sparingly in the elderly too.
• +Do store your oils out of the light. They do not need to be stored in a colored bottle, but do need to be kept out of any source of heat
• +Do keep away from heat sources when being stored, to reduce the process of oxidation.
• +Do a skin-patch test if you're not sure about allergic reactions to an oil. (Most people are NOT allergic to 100% PURE essential oils but can be allergic to the same fragranced "synthetic" - perfumery oils.)
• - If not sure about the proper and safe use of essential oils, please contact us.

SUGGESTED READING

• Aromatherapy An A-Z by Patricia Davis
• Aromatherapy Workbook by Shirley Price
• Aromatherapy A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essentials Oils by Valerie Cooksley
• Practical Aromatherapy by Robyn M. Feller
• Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential oils by Julia Lawless
• Aromatherapy Book of Applications and Inhalations by Jeanne Rose

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

Base or Carrier Oils:

These are the oils that Essential oils are mixed with to make them more safe before applying to the skin. What kind of base oils you use depends on the type of skin you have (dry, oily, etc). What oil(s) you use depends on what they are for (massage, bathing, soaks, compresses, etc.)?

WHERE CAN I GET THESE OILS, SO I CAN START TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS?

There are many places you can purchase them. But buyer beware, not all Essential Oils are the same!

You want to make sure your oils are 100% PURE. That no carrier oils unless stated on the label (as is the case of your precious and rare oils to make a 5% or 10% mixture) or other contaminates or adulterates have been introduced.

Please see everything that Birch Hill Happenings Aromtherapy, LLC has to offer by going to our Online Shopping site. See the links below.

We carry a full supply of Theraputic quality Essential oils and Aromatherapy Supplies!

We have a new mobile responsive Shopping cart with the latest security features available for your safety when making purchases on line.

And don't forget, we are Your Personal Aromatherapist to answer any questions you may have. Just send us an e-mail!

We suggest you BEGIN your Aromatherapy Learning Experience by reading the many, many article written and available on our site by Clicking on one of the followin Index Pages.

Each of these Main Categories will provide you with hours and hours of reading, learning and how to use essential oils for a variety of health and beauty subjects. Have Fun Learning!

© 1998, 2015, 2017 Penny Keay All rights reserved Worldwide.
Please do not use my information without my permission.

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