Aromatherapy for Health

What it is:

When stimulated, the sense of smell is said to have powerful benefits to your general well-being. From this belief sprang up the concept of aromatherapy. Specifically, aromatherapy makes use of aromatic plant oils and essential oils in inhalation, massage, topical application, and water immersion, to treat a range of ailments, such as eczema, headaches, insomnia, digestive problems, stress, and many more.

Different ways to use essential oils

Essential oils can be used in varied ways. As a massage, 4-6 drops of essential oil must be added to one tablespoon of vegetable-based oil. As an oil burner, around 6 drops of essential oil has to be mixed with water and then vaporized in a burner. Essential oils, too, can be added to your bath to calm your nerves after a stressful. To use for inhalation, 2 or 3 drops must be added to a basin of hot water.

Different kinds of aromatic oils

There are many kinds of aromatic oils, but the most common ones used are peppermint, rosemary, sandalwood, sweet orange, chamomile, tea tree, and lavender.

Peppermint oil is often used to treat certain digestive orders, particularly indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. Its topical application on the forehead can also relieve nausea and headaches. At the same time, peppermint oil can be used as a rub to aid in easy breathing and expectoration of mucus. Peppermint oil has antiseptic properties, as well, thus it can treat dental problems, like bad breath, or gum problems.

Rosemary acts as a mental stimulant and is effective in relieving muscular problems.

Sandalwood works well in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and feelings of nervousness. A warm, relaxing bath of ten drops of sandalwood can help you sleep better. You can also sprinkle a few drops of this essential oil onto your pillow and inhale the wonderful scent at bedtime. Alternatively, you can use sweet orange essential oil if you run out of sandalwood.

Chamomile oil has a sedative effect, and can therefore relax you when you are feeling stressed out or depressed. Just have 10 drops of chamomile oil in your bath tub and soak yourself in it for an hour or so.

The very popular tea-tree oil works wonders for respiratory problems, while lavender can be used to treat headaches, depression, certain aches and pains.

Any of these aromatherapy oils can be dropped in a small basin of water and then spread out all over the house.

Aromatherapy and Skin Care

Amazingly, aromatherapy can also benefit the skin. Eight drops of tea tree oil plus six drops of bergamot and four drops of lavender oil in about a quarter of an ounce of jojoba oil makes a great acne medication.

To treat dry skin, mix 10 drops each of sandalwood, rose, and lavender oil, in two tablespoons of avocado, and apply on the skin.

For great hair, make a mixture of two drops of rosemary oil and a drop each of lavender and bay oil, and 20 ml of olive oil, and then massage into the scalp, then shampoo as usual.