What is Aromatherapy?
We have 5 senses and one of them is our sense of smell. It’s one of the most overlooked senses. Yet, our sense of smell can have a marvelous effect on our health, body and mind. Imagine how you feel when you smell your favorite food (i.e. pancakes, Sunday dinner or baked bread)? How just smelling a favorite food can transport us to a memory or provide us with a sense of happiness and security. This itself can have healing powers on the body and mind.
Aromatherapists use natural aromas (mainly plant extracted essential oils) and use these in aromatherapy to help with holistic healing. However, you don’t have to be an aromatherapist to use essential oils at home. Many of the health properties of essential oils can be experienced through simple activities or applications.
Here are just a few examples of oils and their therapeutic properties:
Lavender:
Lavender is widely regarded as the most useful of all essential oils, as it holds many beneficial properties and can be used for a range of ailments, such as;
- Antiseptic and soothing for relieving burns, bites and stings.
- Relieves stress and relaxes the mind.
Lavender has an amazing floral and fresh fragrance and is safe for sensitive skin types. If you’ve never used an essential oil before then this is a great ‘first choice step’ into the world of aromatherapy, just 5 drops of the oil in the bath and you’ll feel fully relaxed.
All essential oils should be diluted first, never apply an essential neat to the skin. They can be diluted with a vegetable oil or lotion and used for massage.
Tea Tree (Ti Tree) :
Tea Tree is an antiseptic. kills bacteria, fungi & viruses. It has a medicinal but refreshing smell. Good for acne (mix 2 drops into a sink of water, before washing your face). Scent increases in strength during evaporation in water or an oil burner, so often 2 drops is enough.
Eucalyptus:
Eucalyptus is an antiseptic oil that heals and kills germs. Stimulating smell that clears congesting in your head (especially colds). Put on a tissue next to your bed, and it will help you breath easier in the night. Use in an oil burner to kill air born germs. One of the main ingredients of Olbas Oil. Alternatively, Cajeput has similar properties and is an often overlooked sweeter smelling alternative.
There are hundreds of essential oils available and it’s likely many more new ones will be found as people experiment further with steam distilling plants to extract new oil compounds.
If you’d like to experience the benefits of using essential oils, then visit Tender Essence. This site offers the most popular and safest essential oils to buy.
The blog Tenderessence.com has a range of articles to help with using essential oils and blending them to make your own cosmetics. You’ll find making your own cosmetics to be an uplifting and creative process.