So what is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve your well-being. There are many ways you can use essential oils, such as applying them (once diluted) to your skin, using them in your bath, or you may choose to inhale the aroma by creating a facial steam or using an essential oil diffuser.
Aromatherapy doesn’t have to be high-priced, and it has many benefits like reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality. It has become fundamental for alternative and holistic medicine. It is a form of holistic healing that has been used for ages to heal your mind and body. Establishing aromatherapy as a habit in your ordinary life will help you take some time for yourself.
If you want to get into aromatherapy but you don’t know where to start, you’ll need a few tips to get you on your way.
✨Buy one or two aromatherapy books: Choose just one or two books to start your aromatherapy library. Select books that are general resources, which will give you some basic information and help you discover the areas in which you have the most interest.
✨Join aromatherapy discussion forums: Facebook Groups, Instagram pages and other forums are great resources for aromatherapy newbies. Read past discussions, ask questions, and learn from others.
✨Choose five to eight essential oils to start: Though you may be tempted to buy more, try to begin with just five or ten different essential oils. Essential oils can be quite expensive, so you may want to experiment with a few at first and then invest in more if you decide to pursue aromatherapy further.
✨Make sure to buy 100%, pure, unadulterated essential oils: Synthetic, fragrance, and perfume oils are not essential oils; they contain man-made chemicals and have no aroma therapeutic value.
✨Buy at least one carrier oil: For nearly all topical aromatherapy applications, you will need to dilute essential oils into a carrier oil. Good all-purpose carrier oils include sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, Jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil. Buy cosmetic grade carrier oils, and use between 1- 10 drops (1-5% dilution) per every 10ml.
✨Store your oils properly: Essential oils should be stored only in dark glass containers. Since essential oils are volatile, keep the lids tightly closed. Essential oils and carrier oils should be stored away from heat and light. Carrier oils will go rancid eventually, so it's best to buy smaller quantities.
✨Listen to your body: Pay attention to how your body responds to different essential oils and adjust usage accordingly. Make sure you look into the properties and benefits of that essential oil. Your body can tell you what you need. The longer you use aromatherapy, the more apparent this becomes.
✨Learn how to do a patch test: Essential oils can cause adverse reactions, due to allergy or due to sensitisation over time. A patch test helps to determine whether you might react to a particular essential oil. Learn how to perform a skin patch test on yourself with each new oil you want to use topically.
✨Don't use aromatherapy with pets: Pets tend to be more sensitive to essential oils than people. Cats, in particular, may be adversely affected by essential oils. Make sure essential oils are kept out of reach of pets. It is ok to use a diffuser in your space whilst your pet is around but do not apply them topically - unless recommended by a veterinarian.
✨Supervise children: Because children are smaller and more sensitive than adults, it’s important to understand that the rules of essential oils are different for them. Once you educate yourself on the safety guidelines required for using essential oils with children, it’s easy to help your kids reap the benefits that oils have to offer. Always supervise essential oil application with your children. Try applying the diluted oil to the bottom of a their feet before other areas. Store your essential oils out of reach of children to prevent unsupervised use.
✨Don't ingest essential oils: Though you will read conflicting information about taking essential oils internally, you should avoid doing this. Some essential oils that are fairly safe to use topically may be quite toxic if taken internally. In addition, some essential oils may interact with prescription medications.
✨When in doubt, consult a professional: If you have specific health concerns, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor before using essential oils. Your doctor knows you and your medical history and can give you an informed opinion about the best ways to use essential oils for your situation.
Remember that while essential oils can offer numerous benefits, individual reactions can vary. As you experiment with and learn more about aromatherapy, you will become more confident using essential oils.
There is so much to explore, so be safe and have fun!