What is Aromatherapy?
"Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological well-being." (Medical Dictionary) There are many different oils, each with their own properties. Some are relaxing, some are invigorating, and there are many in between.
How do you use Aromatherapy?
I use essential oils with either a diffuser designed to spread the oils throughout the air, or I inhale the aroma of the oil straight from the bottle. I find that using a diffuser is useful to create a longer-lasting effect that is less potent than without one. Inhaling straight from the bottle has a more potent effect, but is more cumbersome as it forces you to hold the bottle up to your nose as long as you want to use it. There are also many other methods of using aromatherapy atmospherically.
Here's a nice list of ways to use essential oils:
Here's a nice list of ways to use essential oils:
- Dish washing
- Washing clothes
- Applied to the skin in lotion
- Diluted with water and sprayed from a spray bottle as room freshener
- Put in baths
- Applied to a towel or cotton ball for an alternate way of inhaling the scent
- And some can even be put into food
As a closing note on this section, I would like to say that the first two methods I mentioned are the most effective during an anger flare-up, or in an unusually stressful situation because they both have a more direct effect than the other methods I've tried.
What essential oils do you use?
My favorite essential oil is Vetiver because it has a calming effect on me. I use Vetiver whenever I am angry or stressed, and it is one of the most effective methods of stress relief on short notice.
Another one I like to use is Lavender because it has a similar effect. I find that lavender however, is better for treating insomnia or excess energy than it is for anger. I particularly enjoy putting it on a towel or my pillow before going to bed. :)
Two other oils I use are cinnamon, which is useful for concentration, and peppermint, which is useful for increasing energy.
Another one I like to use is Lavender because it has a similar effect. I find that lavender however, is better for treating insomnia or excess energy than it is for anger. I particularly enjoy putting it on a towel or my pillow before going to bed. :)
Two other oils I use are cinnamon, which is useful for concentration, and peppermint, which is useful for increasing energy.
What about oils with labels like "stress relief"?
Some companies have essential oil blends that combine different oils with similar effects. These blends can be more useful than individual essential oils, however, there are a few things to look out for when buying blends.
When combining different oils, sometimes the individual aromas together can be quite strong, and may be difficult to tolerate or can even cause headaches if you are sensitive to smell. I once used a stress relief blend that contained Vetiver, but also contained several other oils, one of which I believe was rosewood. The rosewood was too strong for me, and made the blend unpleasant to use. In addition, in oil blends, the actual scent of the individual oils can be masked by the stronger ones. If you're looking for the aroma of a particular essential oil, you may be better off avoiding an essential oil blend.
When combining different oils, sometimes the individual aromas together can be quite strong, and may be difficult to tolerate or can even cause headaches if you are sensitive to smell. I once used a stress relief blend that contained Vetiver, but also contained several other oils, one of which I believe was rosewood. The rosewood was too strong for me, and made the blend unpleasant to use. In addition, in oil blends, the actual scent of the individual oils can be masked by the stronger ones. If you're looking for the aroma of a particular essential oil, you may be better off avoiding an essential oil blend.
All in all, aromatherapy is a great method to use, and have available. It is usually fast acting and effective, but not particularly long lasting in the same way other methods are. Bottles can be purchased online or at health stores, and I recommend this method to anyone with daily stress, or difficultly with anger.
No comments:
Post a Comment