Tag Archives: using essential oils

Relaxing Recipes Using Your Aromatherapy Starter Kit

Your aromatherapy starter kit is full of beneficial and inexpensive essential oils! Here are some recipes that will help you feel more relaxed! And if I’ve suggested a scent you’re not particularly fond of — or don’t have in your collection — you can always substitute a scent from the same family. Keep in mind that essential oils are not meant to be used undiluted. You must mix them into a carrier oil, cream, or lotion for safe use. Stress Reducer Blend #1 Mix equal amounts of a citrus scent with a floral scent. For example, lemon and lavender, or … Continue reading →

Tired? Aromatherapy Can Help!

The afternoon at the office is dragging on. Your eyes are burning from the fluorescent lights and staring at the computer. The dull ache in your skull signals the beginning of a headache. You’re irritable. But before you grab a soda or a cup of coffee laden with sugar to perk you up, try something a little more natural. Aromatherapy is a quick and easy way to fight off tension headaches, stress, mental fatigue, and anxiety. Essential oils like black pepper, peppermint, and rosemary are stimulants that will help chase away tiredness and help restore your natural energy levels. If … Continue reading →

Homemade Aromatherapy Potpourri

Wow, there are a LOT of buzzwords in that title. Homemade — done with your own two hands and a lot of TLC. Aromatherapy — naturally good for you. Potpourri — that catchall category in Jeopardy! Potpourri (in the home décor sense, at least) is a mix of dried flowers and foliage that is scented and displayed in a bowl or basket. Sure, it is very easy to find and buy at the store. But you can have the fun and creativity of making your own, and get the added benefits of real essential oils. A lot of store bought … Continue reading →

Your Aromatherapy Starter Kit

Are you ready to start working with your own essential oils? It is time to start assembling your Aromatherapy Starter Kit! There are seven basic scent families that your essential oils may fall into; a good starter kit would have one from each family. Camphor family: Eucalyptus, Camphor Citrus family: Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit Floral family: Lavender, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Geranium Herbal family: Rosemary, Sage Minty family: Peppermint, Spearmint Spicy family: Cinnamon, Clove Wood family: Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Fir If you are just starting out in your adventures in aromatherapy, you probably don’t want to invest a whole lot of money. Some … Continue reading →

Aromatherapy and Arthritis

Arthritis is a painful swelling in the joints; aromatherapy can help ease the two major symptoms: inflammation and the pain that comes with it. Remember: essential oils are not generally intended for undiluted use. Mix a drop or two of the oils you wish to use into a carrier oil (like jojoba, sweet almond, grapeseed, etc) or a cream or lotion base. You can often find unscented lotion at your local drug store; just add your own essential oils for a scent all your own! For arthritis, try mixing your essential oils into a base of aloe vera gel — … Continue reading →

Ten MORE Things to do With Essential Oils

1. Make your own potpourri. Gather dried flowers, pinecones, dried leaves, whatever you like! Arrange them in a bowl, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and stir. You will need to add more oil occasionally to refresh the scent. Try orange and cinnamon for a nice fall scent, or lemon and lavender for spring freshness. 2. Clear kitchen odors easily! If you can boil water, you can fill your home with your favorite scents. Fill a small pot with water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Heating the water will release the scent to … Continue reading →

Ten Things to do With Essential Oils

1. Add a few drops to your bathwater for a fragrant, skin softening experience! Try lavender if you need to unwind, or a citrus scent to energize. 2. Put a drop or two on a cotton ball and tuck it into your clothes drawers. 3. Have a humidifier? A drop of essential oil near where the mist comes out will make the air lightly fragrant. You shouldn’t add the oil directly to the water in the tank; humidifiers are designed to process only water! 4. Mix up a quick air/body spray! Fill a bottle with 4oz water and add 4 … Continue reading →

Aromatherapy Safety Basics

You might think that because essential oils are natural, they couldn’t possibly be harmful. But just like any medicine, essential oils can be harmful if they are not used carefully or properly. Here are some things to keep in mind: 1. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant essences. Do not use them undiluted on the skin. Mix a drop or two of your desired essential oil into a carrier oil or lotion. 2. Do not take essential oils internally. They are not food! They are not drink additives! They are for external use only. 3. Be sparing with your use … Continue reading →

Essential Oils: Frequently Asked Questions

What are essential oils? Basically, essential oils are concentrated plant essences. Some are extracted by pressing (similar to how olive oil is made!). You can collect your own essential oils from the rinds of citrus fruits with a press. Most essential oils are extracted with steam, a more complicated process that more or less breaks down the plant material by cooking. How much do essential oils cost? The prices can vary widely. Certain oils are easier to obtain, and therefore will cost less. You should be able to buy basic oils like lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, orange, grapefruit, peppermint, lime, and … Continue reading →

Everyday Aromatherapy

Before I started working with essential oils and studying the different properties of herbs, I thought aromatherapy was just a bunch of junk. I mean really… smelling different things can make you feel differently? But our sense of smell is one of our strongest senses. Smell triggers so many memories, and such strong reactions. How about the scent of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies? That makes me think of being a kid, especially at the holidays. Fresh tomatoes? Brings me right to summer, especially when mom used to have a garden and we would sneak tomatoes off the vine to eat … Continue reading →