Scent has always been considered a key factor in setting 'moods'. We light rose-scented candles for romantic evenings or apply a fruity perfume on warm, summer afternoons. The aroma of fresh bread brings back the delicious numbness of a tongue burnt on cookies straight out of the oven, while the fragrance of lilies may be connected to special ceremony.
We link important moments with smells and memories are often triggered by familiar scents. However, the effect of smell runs much deeper than just the tasteful treat, it provides our olfactory nerves. Extracts, referred to as essential oils, are derived from various plant parts: roots, leaves, bark, stalk, flowers or fruits. The extraction which is done through distillation has herbal properties that heal such ailments as headaches, body-aches and anxiety hence the name aromatherapy. Before plunging into the scent-pool, here are a few basics on aromatherapy.
Fragrance Oils vs. Essential Oils
A fragrance oil is a synthetically produced oil that smells similar to the essential oil, but lacks its healing qualities. Fragrance oils are used in perfumes and will not work in aromatherapy. To differentiate between the two, watch out for labels with words such as fragrance oils, essential fragrance oils or nature identical.
Another way to test whether oil is natural or synthetic is to check its viscosity. Essential oils are volatile and lack an oily texture. Fragrance oils are slick to the touch and do not evaporate easily.
Whether you are buying to experiment or want to seriously try aromatherapy, make sure you settle for nothing but the best quality. That usually means parting with money. Essential oils are not cheap and some are frightfully expensive. but if you feel like dropping the bottle when you look at the price tag, remember. Drop it gently back on the shelf. you don't want to be paying for that tiny bottle unless you're to use every last drop of its contents.
It takes a lot of raw material to make the oils.While citrus oils are cheaper because rind provides a lot of oil, flower oils are amazingly hard to get. It takes 45 kg of lavender flowers to make approximately half-a-kilogram of the popular lavender essential oil. And if it sounds like a high ratio, consider this: 450 kg of jasmine flowers are required to make the same half-kilogram of jasmine oil. Jasmine, rose and neroli (orange-blossom) are some of the most expensive of oils.
Shelf Life
Most essential oils will last a year if stored well. they need to be kept in cool (no cold) places. Refrigeration reduces the effectiveness of some oils. Ideally, your oil should come in a dark, glass bottle, but store it away from sunlight. anyway, plastic bottles deteriorate with time so don;t use those and if your bottle has a dropper in it, store it separately.
Precautions When Using Oils
You may be tempted to think that plant scents are safe to play around with, but the strength of essential oils should not be taken lightly. Some oils should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy, if you suffer from high blood pressure or epilepsy, or while you are consuming alcohol. since aromatherapy relies on your sense of smell, avoid it if you have asthma or other respiratory problems.
Don't take oils internally. While few can be ingested, some are highly toxic. sine you won't know which ones of these are, it's safe to stick to inhalation and application only.
Always use a 'carrier oil' when applying. Lavender and tea tree oil are probably the only oils that can be applied directly to the skin in their concentrated form. For other oils, mix a few drops of essential oil with col-pressed vegetable oil such as sweet almond or grape-seed (3 drops oil to 100 drops carrier). If you can get hold of jojoba oil, this is considered the best carrier.
Never ever heat an essential oil directly. Not unless you want to create an explosive, literally scent. These oils are volatile meaning keep away from direct heat. Like any thing else, too much is usually bad. If you enjoy the results of aromatherapy, use it sparingly. with continuous use, your body will build up resistance against its healing properties.
Always use safe, common oils. Once you're ready to extend your experience and try other oils, consult a professional, qualified practitioner on what to try next.
How to Use Essential Oil
Essential oils can be used in a number of different ways; through massage, as bath oils, lotions or creams, they can be inhaled and also used as scented candles. There are dozens of oils available and for the new user this presents a challenge. Which ones to try first? What does each do? and what if you end up buying the wrong one or using if for the wrong reasons?
While you could try the more common oils like vanilla, orange, eucalyptus, cinnamon or sandalwood, lavender, tea tree, peppermint, chamomile (German) and ylang-ylang are not just popular, they are also some of the most effective. So, when shopping at amazon.com, look out for Therapeutic Lavender 100% essential oil. I recommend it because its scent minimizes headaches, anxiety and it also helps you to sleep. You can also use it on your skin to clear acne. Ensure you make use of it wisely and its fresh scent will serve you well.
Aromatherapy is not a new-age-cure-all, but it does have benefits. Because each person is unique, your reaction to any oil will be based on the memories you associate with the scent and your biological compatibility to it.
Fragrance Oils vs. Essential Oils
A fragrance oil is a synthetically produced oil that smells similar to the essential oil, but lacks its healing qualities. Fragrance oils are used in perfumes and will not work in aromatherapy. To differentiate between the two, watch out for labels with words such as fragrance oils, essential fragrance oils or nature identical.
Another way to test whether oil is natural or synthetic is to check its viscosity. Essential oils are volatile and lack an oily texture. Fragrance oils are slick to the touch and do not evaporate easily.
Whether you are buying to experiment or want to seriously try aromatherapy, make sure you settle for nothing but the best quality. That usually means parting with money. Essential oils are not cheap and some are frightfully expensive. but if you feel like dropping the bottle when you look at the price tag, remember. Drop it gently back on the shelf. you don't want to be paying for that tiny bottle unless you're to use every last drop of its contents.
It takes a lot of raw material to make the oils.While citrus oils are cheaper because rind provides a lot of oil, flower oils are amazingly hard to get. It takes 45 kg of lavender flowers to make approximately half-a-kilogram of the popular lavender essential oil. And if it sounds like a high ratio, consider this: 450 kg of jasmine flowers are required to make the same half-kilogram of jasmine oil. Jasmine, rose and neroli (orange-blossom) are some of the most expensive of oils.
Shelf Life
Most essential oils will last a year if stored well. they need to be kept in cool (no cold) places. Refrigeration reduces the effectiveness of some oils. Ideally, your oil should come in a dark, glass bottle, but store it away from sunlight. anyway, plastic bottles deteriorate with time so don;t use those and if your bottle has a dropper in it, store it separately.
Precautions When Using Oils
You may be tempted to think that plant scents are safe to play around with, but the strength of essential oils should not be taken lightly. Some oils should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy, if you suffer from high blood pressure or epilepsy, or while you are consuming alcohol. since aromatherapy relies on your sense of smell, avoid it if you have asthma or other respiratory problems.
Don't take oils internally. While few can be ingested, some are highly toxic. sine you won't know which ones of these are, it's safe to stick to inhalation and application only.
Always use a 'carrier oil' when applying. Lavender and tea tree oil are probably the only oils that can be applied directly to the skin in their concentrated form. For other oils, mix a few drops of essential oil with col-pressed vegetable oil such as sweet almond or grape-seed (3 drops oil to 100 drops carrier). If you can get hold of jojoba oil, this is considered the best carrier.
Never ever heat an essential oil directly. Not unless you want to create an explosive, literally scent. These oils are volatile meaning keep away from direct heat. Like any thing else, too much is usually bad. If you enjoy the results of aromatherapy, use it sparingly. with continuous use, your body will build up resistance against its healing properties.
Always use safe, common oils. Once you're ready to extend your experience and try other oils, consult a professional, qualified practitioner on what to try next.
How to Use Essential Oil
Essential oils can be used in a number of different ways; through massage, as bath oils, lotions or creams, they can be inhaled and also used as scented candles. There are dozens of oils available and for the new user this presents a challenge. Which ones to try first? What does each do? and what if you end up buying the wrong one or using if for the wrong reasons?
Aromatherapy is not a new-age-cure-all, but it does have benefits. Because each person is unique, your reaction to any oil will be based on the memories you associate with the scent and your biological compatibility to it.
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