Aromatherapy » Aromatherapy Uses

Aromatherapy For Travel – 4 Key Essential Oils to Tackle Travel Stress & Upsets

Jennifer — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:50:54 +0000

Summer’s here and for most people that means it’s vacation travel season. Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, going on a long trip or a weekend getaway, no matter what time of the year it is, it helps to be prepared for some of the unexpected upsets and minor ailments that can sometimes mar a perfectly good vacation.

The biggest of these is probably the stress that simply comes with travel — delayed, canceled, or missed flights, lost luggage or misplaced documents, a flat tire or other major car trouble, motion sickness, jet lag, and various camping-related mishaps.

Then there are the more common culprits like colds and allergies, upset stomach or digestive stress, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, minor cuts and bruises, blistered feet, rashes or hives, chafing, and sun burn.

There are a number of surprisingly simple ways you can use essential oils, alone or combined with other plant-based ingredients, to address these problems head on and avoid the kind of misery that can make you wish you’d stayed home.

1. Colds, Allergies and Sinus Congestion

With plants, flowers, and grasses in full bloom, pollen is everywhere making summertime synonymous with allergies. Then there’s the congestion that accompanies minor colds you can pick up from air-borne bacteria on planes, trains, and buses, not to mention airports and climate-controlled hotels. To minimize the likelihood of picking up someone else’s cold, wash hands frequently with soap and keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer (preferably one made with essential oils) with you for when you can’t.

To ease congestion, Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil is your best option. It is the gentlest and safest of the various types of Eucalyptus available and can be applied frequently without irritation. For a more powerful decongestant, try our Breathe Ease Diffuser Blend (see our Guide to Diffuser Blends for ingredients and suggested uses). In extreme cases, a trace amount of Peppermint essential oil applied to the back of the roof of your mouth can bring fast and effective relief.

2. Upset Stomach or Digestive Stress

There are several essential oils that can assist with stomach upset and indigestion including Sweet Fennel, Ginger, Lemon, Peppermint, and Tea Tree. For relief from minor nausea and indigestion, place 1 drop of peppermint and 2 drops of sweet fennel in 24 oz of purified water. This also makes a cool, refreshing drink that you can use in place of plain drinking water. For stronger, faster relief of indigestion or nausea, add a drop of peppermint or ginger to a teaspoon of honey and place in a cup of hot water or herbal tea (Chamomile, Ginger, or Licorice Root tea will increase the effectiveness). For fast relief from diarrhea, add one drop of tea tree oil to a cup of chamomile or peppermint tea (or hot water if no tea is available but be prepared for the unpleasant taste). Repeat until discomfort subsides.

3. Headaches and/or Insomnia

Lavender essential oil is a remarkably effective antidote to minor headaches and accompanying muscle tension, and can provide a sense of calm when you have difficulty sleeping in a strange or uncomfortable place. For relief from migraine headaches try our Head Ache Blend, which combines lavender with peppermint (a cooling analgesic), marjoram (a sedative and muscle relaxant), basil, and chamomile, and comes already diluted in Jojoba oil for direct application to the affected areas (temples, forehead, brows and neck muscles). For insomnia, try our Sleep Ease Diffuser Blend, which combines lavender, tangerine, marjoram, spruce, and petitgrain.

With the exceptions of lavender and tea tree, undiluted essential oils should be used with a portable diffuser. If you’re camping or somewhere where you can’t use a diffuser, put a drop or two on a handkerchief or bandanna and wrap around your head or tuck under your pillow and breathe in the vapors. Don’t over-use.

4. Fatigue

Jet lag, stress, long drives, and extended sight seeing excursions (especially on foot) can lead to exhaustion and fatigue. The best way to deal with this is to pace yourself, try not to cram your schedule with more activities than you can realistically handle, eat a good amount of protein (preferably at breakfast), and always stay hydrated. Essential oils that can help are Eucalyptus (mental clarity) and Peppermint (stimulant) or try our Stay Alert Diffuser Blend, which includes both along with Rosemary, Cinnamon Leaf, Orange, and Cedar wood. Use this with a Car Scenter diffuser to help you stay awake during long drives. To relieve tired and achy feet, put a drop in a tepid foot bath, or several drops in a tablespoon of carrier oil for a stimulating foot massage.

5. Minor Cuts, Scrapes and Other Skin Eruptions

Minor wounds (i.e. splinters, hang nails, insect bites, blisters, cuts, scrapes and burns) need to be disinfected and treated immediately or they can lead to painful inflammation and a variety of uncomfortable skin eruptions. This is when Tea Tree oil can become a reliable and trusty friend! It kills bacteria, cleanses wounds, and promotes speedy healing. Like Lavender, it can be applied “neat” (directly) to the skin. Think of it as an invisible liquid band aid. Our Boo Boo Blend, which combines tea tree with lavender, geranium, and chamomile (anti-inflammatory) is an excellent choice as well. For sunburn relief combine 1 teaspoon of Lavender or Boo Boo blend with 4 oz of aloe vera juice and store in a spritzer bottle. Substitute 1 oz of peppermint hydrosol for the aloe juice to enhance the cooling effect. Shake well and spray liberally –as often as needed to reduce pain and speed healing.

To summarize, the four key essential oils you need in your travel kit are: Peppermint (headaches, fatigue, indigestion, and congestion), Eucalyptus (congestion and fatigue), Tea Tree (diarrhea, cuts and wounds, disinfectant), and Lavender (headaches, skin eruptions and burns, stress, muscle tension, insomnia).

Donya Fahmy, is a green business owner and the creator of Dropwise Essentials’ spa-quality aromatherapy body products that help you safely relieve stress, increase vitality, improve confidence, or simply manage your emotional state any time or place without popping a pill. For more free tips and valuable information visit http://www.dropwise.com and subscribe to the Dropwise Health & Beauty News Ezine or blog feed.

Dropwise Essentials is a San Francisco-based manufacturer of pure aromatherapy and organic plant-based personal care products that give people a safe and effective way to relieve stress, increase vitality, improve confidence, or manage their emotional state any time or place without popping a pill. Our products are:

* Free of synthetic chemicals and petroleum ingredients
* Made with high quality certified organic oils and pure essential oils sourced from around the world
* Packaged in re-usable or recyclable materials
* Hand-made locally in northern California

Dropwise Essentials was founded by Donya Fahmy, a writer, producer, and consultant whose avid interest in the curative powers of aromatherapy and herbs ultimately led her to design and create the seven products and seventeen unique essential oil blends that make up the current Dropwise product line. She has studied aromatherapy with Carol Schiller –a successful author of several aromatherapy books– and with Dr. Daniel Penoel –a renowned expert in the field of medical aromatherapy.

Dropwise Essentials is a proud member of the Indie Beauty Network (formerly the Handmade Beauty Network), the Green America Business Network (formerly Co-op America), Green Product Alliance, Natural Ingredient Resource Center, and a Friend of PETA. We were among the first companies to join the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics by signing their Compact for Safe Cosmetics which simply formalizes our existing commitment to formulate products free of known or potentially toxic ingredients.

Aromatherapy Oils – A Guide to Using Them Successfully

Jennifer — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:39:22 +0000

Aromatherapy is an alternative to traditional medicine which uses unstable liquid plant resources known by the term “essential oils” and other scented mixtures from ingredients from plants for the function of enhancing the mood of the person or their state of health. Recent expert evidence has shown a number of known health issues will benefit from aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is a general term that references a range of traditions that make use of essential oils often combined with other unconventional medical practices and spiritual ideologies. The most practical use of these products includes massaging products, medicine, or any topical purpose that incorporates the use of true, pure essential oils in their products.

What are Aromatherapy Oils?

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are different in chemical mix from other herbal products. Aromatherapy uses pure, natural, unmodified aromatic essences, (essential oils) and hydrosols (colloidal suspensions) that come from botanical material. These substances can have a broad range of therapeutic effects and actions on the body.

Many of us have already used these oils in our normal daily lives. Many toothpastes as well as mouth washes contain these oils, as do many special care products and perfumes. There are some baked goods that are made using essential oils. Aromatherapy involves the therapeutic usage of these oils for health purposes.

Aromatherapy implements the use of essences gleaned from plants, as it’s a botanical treatment, or plant remedy. Homeopathic treatments, herbal mixtures, and flower treatments are also examples of botanical therapeutics.

How are Aromatherapy Oils Used?

Aromatherapy oils can be useful in many different ways. They are handy to use and most aromatherapy applications only need the use of only a very small amount of oil.

Topical Application
Aromatherapy oils can be applied topically in the form of massage, alcohol rub, salt rub and compresses. In each case the essential oil must be combined with a “carrier oil” in a specific dilution ratio to aid application. Sweet almond, grape seed, and olive oils are all suitable carrier oils. Aromatherapy oils can also be added to bath salts, oils, or milk, and poured into a footbath or a bathtub.

Inhalation
Examples of inhalation methods using essential oils include diffusion using a nebulizer to spray a fine mist into the air, steam inhalation of vapors from oils put into hot water, or directly inhaling by adding drops of aromatherapy oils onto a tissue or cotton ball for inhalation, or by rubbing a couple of drops between the palms, and cupping over the nose and mouth.

Internal Use of Essential Oils
Using oils orally can be safe and effectual, but should only be done by those who have detailed knowledge of essential oils, or under the direction of an experienced Aromatherapist. Some very common oils like Eucalyptus are particularly toxic when taken internally.

Care and Safe Use of Aromatherapy Oils

There are some safety issues when handling and using aromatherapy oils because they are very concentrated so they can irritate the skin when used if not diluted with carrier oil. Many of these essential oils have chemical compounds that are sensitizers, which means that they will cause reactions to the skin following repeated use.

While some believe the intake of some essential oils to be beneficial, aromatherapy professionals do not propose self prescription due to the high toxic nature of some oils. Adulterated oils may also pose problems depending on the type of substance used.

Pure essential oils are natural products and are preservative and additive free, so storing and handling these products correctly is essential. A few of them can also be quite dangerous if not handled correctly. Basic procedures should therefore be taken in order to make sure of the safety issues and also the value of the oils in storage. Some aromatherapy oils are also highly flammable.

Observing these points will ensure the safe and pleasurable enjoyment of aromatherapy oils.

If you want to read more about aromatherapy oils, click over to Jo’s site at http://www.infoaboutaromatherapy.com

Holiday Scents Boost Holiday Spirits

Jennifer — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:28:37 +0000

Tip: Add a festive scent to the fireplace by putting one or two drops of essential oils on the log.

What pops into your head when you think about holidays? Sugarplums? Or do you see yourself trying to balance work and family with gifts, baking and parties?

You’re not alone. But there is a way to both enhance the holidays and comfort yourself during a hectic holiday season — aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy uses pure essential oils to relax, balance and rejuvenate. And some scents can do the double duty of creating a festive holiday atmosphere at the same time.

Surround Yourself With Seasonal Scents
Start with some scents to fill your rooms. Certain essential oils are ideal — clove, cinnamon, pine, fir needle, Texas cedarwood, cypress and juniper berry all lend cheer. Leading aromatherapy brand Aura Cacia even offers a special holiday blend, Orange Pomander, just for the season.

There are numerous options for diffusing the scents into the atmosphere of a room, such as simmering a blend of holiday cheer right on your stove top. Try filling a saucepan full of water and adding 10 drops cassia bark, 5 drops clove, 20 drops sweet orange, and 5 drops of vanilla.

Add a festive scent to the fireplace by putting one or two drops of essential oils on the log. Apply a drop and let it sit for a few minutes before putting the log into the fire. Some oils to try: frankincense, cypress, pine, fir, juniper berry and Texas cedarwood. Diffusing refreshing oils like peppermint and citrus may be just the thing to re-energize your family and guests after a big holiday meal.

And the tree — it’s the original source of holiday aromatherapy! Adding essential oils to the water in your tree stand is a quick way to diffuse holiday scents. Or spray an oil and water blend directly onto both natural and artificial trees for a fresh-cut aroma. Try 20 drops of pine, fir or juniper essential oil in a spritzer with 1 ounce of water.

Give Yourself a Break
You may find yourself on your feet for long periods during the holidays — shopping, cleaning or attending gatherings. To ease your fatigue, add a few drops of essential oil to your bath or try this foot soak:

Revitalizing Foot Soak
2 Tbsp. sea salt
1 Tbsp. Epsom salts
1 Tbsp. sodium bicarbonate or baking soda
1 Tbsp. French white clay powder
12 drops lavender oil
2 drops peppermint oil
1 drop spearmint oil

When you get the chance to sleep or do some serous relaxing, treat yourself to jasmine or vanilla essential oils or a pre-blended nocturnal formula like Aura Cacia’s Pillow Potion.

Share the Gift of Aromatherapy
You can also enhance the holidays by treating your gift recipients to the power of aromatherapy. It’s a thoughtful and creative way to make your gifts truly personal. Offer a festive container filled with coarse sea salt and your favorite essential oil blend. It can be used in the bath, or displayed to scent the air. Try 20 drops of rose, 20 drops of lavender and 10 drops of neroli to about 2 cups of salt. A small pinch of baking soda makes the blend very softening to the skin. To make a bath salt fizz, add a bit of vitamin C powder.

Spritzers are fun gifts. Buy a glass or aluminum spray bottle, blend your favorite oils and add water. To create one with the holiday scent of an orange pomander, use these essential oils: 40 drops orange, 40 drops vanilla, 15 drops clove.

If you want to introduce friends to aromatherapy, give them an Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Deck — it’s filled with enough aromatherapy information and recipes to keep them busy until next Christmas.

For more ideas and recipes, check out www.auracacia.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

A Detailed Guide to the Practice of Aromatherapy

Author — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:12:00 +0000

The practice of aromatherapy is one which is widely known now, and for good reason. It is an herbal type of medicine, one which largely incorporates the use of essential oils from plants, trees, and flowers. It consists of the use of these pure essential oils which have been steam distilled from their originating plants and it can help relieve a wide assortment of ailments and illnesses.

There are hundreds of different essential oils which may be used here, and each of the oils has its own different healing properties. Some of these oils work by calming the patient while others are meant to energize and revitalize.

It has proven to be effective for treating aches and pains, injuries, even serious diseases, and without the uncomfortable and annoying side effects and symptoms which are so often associated with more conventional methods of treatment.

What it Can do For You

Aromatherapy can be incredibly effective and because it is much safer to use than more conventional treatment methods, it is a great alternative for those people who are looking for a more natural treatment.

Aromatherapy can be used for everything from acne, chapped skin and lips, insect bites, athlete’s foot, bronchitis, sore throats, headaches, and it is even now being used to treat Alzheimer’s Disease patients.

Getting Started

If you are interested in incorporating aromatherapy into your own life, there are a few steps you should take. The first is to become more educated about aromatherapy in general, as the history of this practice goes back thousands of years and aromatic plants and essential oils were actually used as far back as biblical times.

The next step is to understand about the different ways in which this practice can be implemented, namely aromatherapy massage. This is an incredibly unique type of massage, one that uses essential oils to relax and soothe the patient. When you inhale these oils there are messages which are transmitted to your limbic system and as a result this affects your heart rate, stress level, and blood pressure.

People who receive an aromatherapy massage report feeling a great deal more relaxed and at ease, and not only does this make them feel better in general but it also helps the actual massage portion of the treatment to be more effective. It is especially great for treating sports injuries which can often be quite serious, not only physically but mentally as well.

The Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil Properties

Jennifer — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 03:20:18 +0000

If you are a fan of oriental food, chances are that you have eaten a variety of dishes with lemongrass in it. Did you know that lemongrass can not only be used in food but that it is popular in aromatherapy and various natural health treatments? The benefits of lemongrass essential oil properties are numerous plus you get the added advantage of a great fragrance too!

Lemongrass essential oil produces a delicate aroma of citrus and is extracted from the lemongrass plant which has long, willowy stalks. Lemongrass essential oil properties include antiseptic, analgesic, antifungal, antimicrobial and even antidepressant effects. This oil can treat a variety of problems such as athlete’s foot, acne, skin rashes, excessive sweating, stress, muscle pain and flatulence.

Excellent Skin Remedies

Among the many benefits of lemongrass essential oil properties are those that treat the skin. Because it has great astringent properties, lemongrass oil helps clear up excessive oily skin which can cause acne outbreaks. In addition, lemongrass is effective as a skin toner because it naturally dilates the blood vessels, tightening pores and wrinkles.

Emotional Well-Being

Lemongrass essential oil properties also extend to creating a sense of emotional well-being, an important attribute to have in this fast-paced world. The light citrusy scent is a great relaxing agent and acts as a type of tranquilizer tamping down on stress, anxiety and even depression. A massage using lemongrass essential oil can be very therapeutic and calming for a tired body with aching muscles.

Elimination of Pesky Critters

You can add insect repellant and anti-fungal agent to the list of lemongrass essential oil properties. For some reason, pesky critters like biting flies, mosquitoes, fleas and ticks do not like the smell of lemongrass and will avoid it. And because of the antifungal lemongrass essential oil properties, athlete’s foot can be treated and even dandruff, which is sometimes caused by a type of fungus.

Lemongrass is Versatile

There are a variety of other lemongrass essential oil properties which could make your life a lot easier and great smelling to boot. Carry lemongrass essential oil with you on long trips as it will help you fight jetlag and fatigue and even nervousness. It also kick starts the regeneration of ligaments and connective tissues and even improves lymph and blood flow. Because of these positive lemongrass essential oil properties, it has also been prescribed for edema, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and even the retention of fluid.

Digestion and respiratory ailments can also benefit from lemongrass essential oil properties. Really, the versatility of lemongrass is astounding and should be explored for further beneficial properties.

Peppermint Oil Is An Ideal Essential Oil For Vertigo

Jennifer — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 02:51:07 +0000

If you are unfortunate enough to be suffering from vertigo, you can be forgiven for being most irritated with this very annoying condition though your annoyance should not make you forget to get it treated because it can cause further and serious complications. Anyone that suffers from vertigo will know that it makes them dizzy whenever they move up or even down and the feeling is similar to falling off a high roof though in reality all you may be doing is to stand in a corner of your room.

Not Scientifically Proven As Yet

A good method of treating this condition is to try out essential oil for vertigo which though it is effective has not yet been scientifically proven though it is still effective. This is because the scents that you get from essential oils help to promote a sense of well being and the consciousness returns to a positive frame of mind and a useful essential oil in this regard is peppermint oil.

Even though peppermint oil is a good essential oil for vertigo, it must still only be used with proper knowledge as well as understanding regarding the when and also where it must be used. This essential oil for vertigo is generally minty in appearance and will remind you of peppermint candles though it has a higher level of concentration and it also has more fragrance than that of spearmint.

You should not use this essential oil for vertigo in case of cardiac fibrillation, fever and also with epilepsy, and it is also essential to know whether to use it orally and in any case it should only be taken unless you are following the instructions of an aromatherapist that is well qualified. In addition, you should also take care that you do not use this essential oil for vertigo in undiluted form, absolutes or in considerable concentrations, and when applying it on children, you need to exercise extreme caution and ensure that you only give them a very gentle oil rub and that too in low doses.

Peppermint oil is an essential oil for vertigo that helps to stimulate your lymphatic system and it can both cool as well as warm a person depending on the level of its concentration. So, if you use it with low concentration it will greatly cool you down while the opposite happens when you use it in high concentration.

Essential Oil Uses for Natural Therapy

Jennifer — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 03:01:57 +0000

The practice of incorporating essential oils into various forms of therapy is thousands of years old and even the ancient Egyptians had many essential oil uses. Most people rely on science to make them feel better and fill their prescriptions or buy over the counter medications for various ailments. However, many essential oils have therapeutic qualities that could also be great for treatments.

Popular Essential Oils for Common Ailments

There are quite a few essential oil uses and most are very beneficial for common ailments, first aid, emotional well-being and even sensual massage. In terms of first aid, lavender, thyme, tea tree oil, chamomile and basil are all excellent for treating insect bites, ant bites, small cuts and scraps.

Common ailments like a cold, flu, core throat, sinus problems and other related illnesses benefit from a variety of essential oils. Orange, peppermint, tea tree oil, basil, thyme, lime and cedarwood are all beneficial and even have other essential oil uses other than the common ailments listed above.

As far as sensual massage is concerned, the essential oils used for this particular activity also work to calm stress levels and help maintain an emotional balance. Essential oils such as peppermint, cinnamon, lavender, ylang ylang and jasmine are a just a sampling of the many oils that can be used.

Essential Oil Uses in Everyday Life

As mentioned above, among the many essential oil uses are for common ailments such as respiratory problems. By dropping some essential oils in a bowl of steaming water or even a humidifier, you can breathe in the vapors produced for easy relief of symptoms. Adding essential oils to a hot bath works in a similar manner only you have to be sure the essential oil is mixed with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation.

Other essential oil uses include freshening up a room through aromatherapy and even regular household cleaning. The steam method of infusing essential oils works great at freshening up a room and even a diffuser made especially for essential oil uses works. Add a few drops of essential oil to a napkin or rag and place it in a trash can or anywhere else that can get particularly smelly.

One of the most popular essential oil uses has to be bug repellant. With all the smelly DEET based sprays and lotions, the use of essential oils is a godsend! There are many essential oils that work at repelling biting insects. Citronella, lavender, peppermint and even geranium are all possible contenders for bug repellant of the year. For personal applications, you must mix your essential oil with carrier oil or even an unscented lotion to avoid skin irritation. You can even sprinkle these oils onto cotton balls and place them in strategic places where insects like to enter the home.

There are probably thousands more essential oil uses and while you may be leery of some of them, you will at least be treated to a variety of wonderful aromas while you experiment. You can usually find these essential oils at whole foods and organic health food markets and pharmacies.

Using Lavender Essential Oil For Rosacea

Jennifer — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 03:19:05 +0000

Using lavender essential oil for rosacea is a very popular and all-natural treatment. All over the web you can find advertisements proclaiming the benefits of using lavender essential oil for rosacea, but are the claims true? And is it safe? Here is what you need to know about lavender essential oil for rosacea treatments.

What is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a somewhat common skin disorder that is usually found in people starting at the age of thirty. It is a flushing or redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that looks somewhat like severe sunburn. It goes away and comes back and if left untreated, rosacea can get worse over time.

What Is Lavender Essential Oil?

Lavender is an herb that has been used for centuries as a healing agent. The sent sooths and calms, it is a natural antiseptic, antibiotic, and detoxifying agent. Lavender essential oil is made by steaming the stems of the lavender flower to extract the essence of the plant. Then, the vapor released from the steaming is stored in tanks and left to cool. The vapor becomes the essential oil during the cooling stage.

How To Use Lavender Essential Oil On Skin For Rosacea

Strong beauty products full of harsh chemicals are said to weaken the skin, making it venerable to bacteria and environmental stresses. Some say this is the cause of rosacea. Lavender can sooth the skin and regenerate damaged skin cells and broken capillary veins. The best way to apply lavender is through lavender essential oil. It is important to make sure that the oil is pure, with no additives. Additives can make the condition worse.

You can apply the oil directly to the skin like lotion. Use gentle, even strokes with the tips of your fingers, making sure not to irritate the skin. A word of caution: Geraniol which can be found in lavender essential oil, rose oil, geranium oil, palmarosa oil, jasmine oil, citronella oil, and other essential oils can be irritants for rosacea in some people. So you should test lavender oil in a small area of your face, first, before trying all over your face. If any redness occurs in the test spot, do not use the oil on the rest of your face. Lavender essential oil for rosacea should be used after consulting a doctor and shouldn’t be used if you are allergic to lavender.

When used properly, and with caution, using lavender essential oil for rosacea can work miracles.

Aromatherapy Uses: Cooking

Jennifer — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:12:40 +0000

If you consider yourself more than a beginner when it comes to cooking, you’re likely already incorporating principles of aromatherapy into the foods you create. Using ingredients like infused oils and flavored butters not only adds a tremendous amount of flavor to your meals, these types of ingredients cause your smell receptors to come alive.

You might never have thought about this before, but eating involves more than your sense of taste. Unfortunately for many of us, we never seem to have enough time to fully appreciate our meals. We eat fast while on the go, and never give our brains enough time to process the experience. If we could only slow down, we would realize that eating involves the sense of smell as well.

In fact, much of what we taste is influenced by smell. It has to be otherwise, we could only taste what our tongues have been designed to process – saltiness, bitterness, sweetness and sourness. Need further proof? Walk into any home at meal time or any restaurant and before we even see food we smell it and we’re able to pick out different aromas and that makes us instantly hungry.

Here are a few tips on incorporating aromatherapy into your cooking.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with your food! Herbs, spices and even edible flowers can breathe new life into your meals. These ingredients will turn the most boring of foods like vegetables into foods you look forward to eating.

Incorporating aromatherapy into your cooking can help you lose weight. One reason why people tend to gravitate towards high fat foods is because these foods taste so good. And while cheese, creams, gravies and butter do add a lot of flavor, they also add a lot of calories. Using more fruits, vegetables and lean proteins in your recipes and flavoring them with herbs and flavored oils will provide you with the vitamins, nutrients and will invigorate, revitalize and lift your mood at the same time!

Before you can add aroma and flavor to food, it’s got to be released from the plant material first. Heat is an effective method of extracting aromas, but too much heat will damage these plants and consequently, spoil your meals. For best results, always heat slowly using low heat.

What products can be used in aromatherapy cooking?

Infusions

Infusions are great to use in aromatherapy cooking. Not only do they add a variety of different flavors, they’re easy to make. An infusion is an oil or water that has been steeped generally with herbs or flowers.

Herbed butter

Used sparingly, herbed butters add a tremendous amount of flavor and an incredible aroma to practically any food. And as with infusions, herbed butters are easy to make at home.

Herbs

When cooking, you’ll extract more flavors if you use fresh herbs.

Some cooking ideas

Instead of pastas made with cheese and meat, toss with vegetables that have been sautéed in infused oils.

Brush poultry, vegetables and seafood with herbed butter, wrap in aluminum foil, then grill. The steam will help the flavor of the herbed butters seep throughout the grilled items.

Photo by Paolo Ferla

Aromatherapy Uses: Massage

Jennifer — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:16:08 +0000

Massaging essential oils into the skin is a commonly used aromatherapy technique and one that’ll enable you to reap tremendous therapeutic benefits. If you’ve never had a massage, you don’t know what you’re missing. After a massage session, you’ll feel amazingly relaxed and rejuvenated. Here are some tips on getting the most out of your aromatherapy massage.

You’ll reap the maximum benefit if you have someone else give you a massage. You can massage some areas of your body yourself, such as your feet and your temples, but what you really need to focus on while getting a massage is relaxing. You’ll never be able to fully relax if you’re doing the work, no matter how minimal. While you can enlist the help of just about anybody, you’ll be better off if your massage is performed by a professional.

The person you choose for your massage is just as important as the aromatherapy massage environment. It should be somewhat darkened and very quiet. The only noises you should hear are natural ones such as bubbling brooks, crashing waves, a gentle rain or other similarly soothing sounds. If you can’t listen to the real thing, don’t worry. Pre-recorded sounds work just fine.

You’ll be most comfortable and reap the most benefits if you’re lying on a firm but comfortable surface. You’ll also be more relaxed if you’re warm so be sure you’re partially covered with a soft, luxurious towel. If you’re okay not being covered, then have a towel nearby in case you care to use it later on. A relaxed state will cause the body’s metabolism rate to slow, which will cause the body temperature to lower.

Essential oils are best and are generally what’s used for massage. Essential oils are extracted from plant material and they’re most effective when they’re diluted with carrier oils or hydrosols. Essential oils are highly concentrated oils and they can be too strong for some skin when used alone. Plus essential oils can be expensive so economically it makes sense to mix them with carrier oils.

The essential oils you choose depend on the benefits you desire. Lavender is excellent for relaxing while peppermint is good for soothing sore muscles. Good carrier oils to use for massage include apricot kernel, sweet almond and grapeseed.

As a general rule, you’ll need 1 to 2 ounces of carrier oil to massage the entire body. The only carrier oil that is not recommended for use in massage is mineral oil.

If you’re the one who are giving a massage pour a small amount of oil into your hands first to allow them to warm slightly. Rub into skin using a combination of long strokes, and large and small circular motions. Continually vary both the speed and the motion of the massage. When hand movements begin to ‘drag’ it’s time to use more oil.

Massage oil recipes for relaxation:

Lavender essential oils – Mix 4 drops for every tablespoon of carrier oil

Petitgrain essential oils – Mix 1 drop for every tablespoon of carrier oil

Frankincense essential oils – Mix 1 drop for every tablespoon of carrier oil