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Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to promote health, both physical and psychological. Its recorded history dates back at least a thousand years. The Eastern cultures have always been big proponents of aromatherapy and other natural healing techniques. Incense, candles, bath oils and salts, and diffusers are all forms of aromatherapy.
Different essential oils, or oils derived from plants, cause different reactions in the body. To fight anxiety or stress, try these aromas:
Clary Sage
Bergamot
Frankincense
Sandalwood
Lavender
Mandarin
Vetiver
Rose
Chamomile
Orange
Grapefruit
Ylang Ylang
Neroli
Lemon
Ylang Ylang
Jasmine
Carrier Oils for Use in Recipes:
Sweet Almond
Borage
Coconut
Apricot
Avocado
Olive
Cocoa Butter
Grapeseed
Jojoba
Macadamia Nut
Rosehip
Sesame
Shea Butter
Sunflower
To Make Your Own Bath Oil
Mix 20 drops of your favorite essential oil with 2 ounces of a carrier oil. Store in a glass container. Use approximately ¼ ounce per bath.
To Make Your Own Bath Salts
Mix 20 drops of your favorite essential oil or blend with 3 cups sea salt or Epsom salt and one tablespoon of a moisturizing carrier oil. Use ½ to 1 cup per bath, storing the remainder in a sealed container.
To Make Your Own Massage Oil
Mix 10 drops essential oil or blend with one ounce of a carrier oil. Always be sure to test essential oils for skin sensitivity before using any product directly on your skin. And always store essential oils and blends in air-tight dark glass containers.
To Make Your Own Anti-Stress Blends
Combine:
2 drops Clary Sage
2 drops Bergamot
1 drop Frankincense
Combine:
3 drops Sandalwood
2 drops Bergamot
Combine:
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Clary Sage
Combine:
2 drops Mandarin
1 drop Vetiver
1 drop Rose
1 drop Lavender
Combine:
10 drops Chamomile
5 drops Lavender
Combine:
3 drops Sandalwood
1 drop Rose
1 drop Orange
Combine:
6 drops Bergamot
4 drops Clary Sage
Combine:
3 drops Grapefruit
1 drop Ylang Ylang
1 drop Lavender
Combine:
4 drops Lavender
1 drop Rose
Combine:
4 drops Lavender
1 drop Neroli
Combine:
4 drops Frankincense
1 drop Rose
Combine:
3 drops Clary Sage
1 drop Lemon
1 drop Lavender
Combine:
2 drops Chamomile
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Vetiver
Combine:
3 drops Grapefruit
1 drop Ylang Ylang
1 drop Jasmine
You can use these blends in either a diffuser or to make massage oil. A diffuser is something that is used to distribute the aroma of essential oils into the air. You can buy glass nebulizers and electric heat diffusers at many health and herbal stores. You can also purchase simple candle diffusers and lamp rings. Candle diffusers are made up of a small tea light candle placed under a ceramic or metal dish. Lamp rings are usually made of terra cotta and sit on top of a light bulb in a lamp. You must be very careful that essential oils do not drip onto the light bulb as it may cause an explosion.
You may also simple blow out a burning candle, place a drop or two of essential oil into the melted wax and relight the candle. Again, you must be very careful as essential oils are highly flammable.
The simplest method of diffusion is to put a few drops of your chosen essential oil or blend on a tissue or cotton ball and gently wave it in the air as you breathe.
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