The most common way to enjoy aromatherapy at home is the use of essential oils, which are concentrated substances that often hold plenty of scent.  However, there is a right and a wrong way to use essential oils, and improper use can be dangerous.  If you’re looking to use oils for aromatherapy, then you should know the proper way to use them to prevent these problems.  Let’s look at some applications of aromatherapy oils with safety in mind.

For The Bath

Lavender essential oils are known to have relaxing properties as well as antiseptic properties; as a bath oil, it makes for a wonderfully fragrant tub to kick back and distress in.  But oils for aromatherapy are potent, so you don’t need very much!  About 10 drops in the water will give you a well-scented bath that won’t invite skin irritation.  If you have particularly sensitive skin, try adding those 10 drops to a carrier oil, which is a neutral oil such as jojoba oil, which will give you a less concentrated solution that you place in the water, making mixing easier.

For Illness

Peppermint oil for aromatherapy has stimulating properties, with its brisk, almost cold feel when the scent tickles your nose.  When you’ve got a bad cold, though, you can use it as an expectorant, clearing out passages that are clogged with mucus.  One way of doing this is by mixing three drops in a bowl of warm or cool water, soaking a cloth in that water, then wringing it out before application.  You can also make a body lotion that will help when applied to the skin by adding about 50 drops per 16 ounces of unscented body lotion.  Stir to combine and apply.

Without Use On The Body

Even in diluted amounts, you may decide that you don’t want to use oils for aromatherapy where they’ll be in contact with your body.  In this case, you should use an aromatherapy diffuser in order to get aromatherapy oils to your nose.  A diffuser is a device that works through electricity or using a candle to provide heat energy.  When aromatherapy oils are heated, they evaporate, adding the scent to the air. 

So, you can use a candle diffuser to scent your bathroom while you’re in the bath with no problems, or you can use an electric diffuser as you sleep to help bring a little relief to your clogged sinuses as you sleep by adding a little peppermint oil.  But whether you choose to use diluted oils that come in contact with your skin or using a diffuser for the hands-off approach, you can enjoy the benefits of using aromatherapy oils at home.

Photo by Jenny Rollo

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