Essential oils interact with the body through the nose and they are also absorbed through the skin. There is also a benefit in just surrounding yourself with the energetic value of the oil.
There are many ways to use essential oils:
Bath
Essential oils can be used in a bath both for therapy and pleasure! Be careful not to use an oil that is sensitising or irritating on the skin. Add the essential oil added directly to the bath, or – better – it can be diluted in a tablespoon of vegetable oil, a teaspoon of honey, or half a cup of milk. (Honey and milk are excellent emulsifiers and will help the aromatherapy essential oil to disperse in the water). The safest oils for everyone to use in the bath are Lavender and Camomile because of their gentle non-irritant qualities. If you want to experiment with others, watch out for oils that may be photo sensitising when in direct contact with the skin. Remember that the oil is not dispersed and diluted in the water; it is at full strength, so go carefully, one drop at a time. Use up to eight drops of your chosen essential oil or blend. Run the bath as usual, and add the essential oil (or mixture) to the water. Keep the bathroom door closed to ensure that the aroma does not disperse. Swish the water around vigorously before getting in. If you are using Oshadhi Bath Oils, add a couple of capfuls to the running water shortly before the bath has filled.
Chest Rub
There are many essential oils which
have a clearing effect and are recommended to support the respiratory
system. Among these are Eucalyptus, Fir, Rosemary, and Spike Lavender.
Prepare a blend of 10-20 drops of essential oil in 30ml of carrier oil
and rub on the chest and upper back.
Compress
A compress is a clean, damp, folded
cloth that has been infused with essential oils and is then applied to
the problem area. A compress can be either cold or warm, depending on
the purpose. Fill a small bowl with water, add 2-5 drops of essential
oil. Stir briskly, soak the cloth, wring, and apply. Repeat this
procedure as needed.
Diffusers
You can completely transform the
character of a room in just a few minutes using a few drops of a
favourite essential oil or synergy blend in one of our diffusers.
Aromatherapy diffusers are also ideal for cleansing and purifying the
air.
Aromatherapy diffusers disperse essential oils into the room in a
number of different ways. The preferred method does not heat the
essential oil, but uses a fan to pass cool air through a pad which has
been impregnated with the essential oil. You can use 4-8 drops of
essential oil on the pad, or 25 drops or more in an Oshadhi Professional
Aromatherapy Microdiffuser. Use 3-5 drops with warming diffusers.
Refresh as needed.
Direct Application
Some essential oils such as
lavender and tea tree can be applied directly to the skin to soothe
minor insect bites, scratches and burns.
Foot and Hand Bath
When your feet feel good, you
feel good all over – and the feet are a very important area in
aromatherapy. This is both because of their reflex points that affect
every area of the body, and because the skin on the feet absorbs
essential oils rapidly.
The value of foot baths has been recognised for
hundreds of years. They are a wonderful way to pamper yourself, and are
very practical in situations where a full aromatherapy bath is not
possible; for example for the disabled and elderly or for people who
only have a shower in their flat.
Hand baths can be soothing for people
with aching joints.
Use 2-4 drops of your chosen essential oil in a
bowl of water. Cool water revives, and warm water relaxes.
Gargle
First thoroughly mix the essential oil in
a teaspoon of honey. Then dilute with warm water until the honey is
dissolved. Gargle with a small amount and spit out. Use 1-2 drops per 30
ml of warm water.
Inhalation and Steam Inhalation
Sprinkle a few
drops of an aromatherapy oil onto a handkerchief or tissue, and inhale
as required.
Alternatively add three drops of your essential oil to a
bowl of steaming water. Cover your head with a large towel, close your
eyes, put your face above the water and inhale deeply. Repeat as
required.
Internal use
Essential oils can be used
internally, but this should not be done without proper knowledge. The
French system of aromatherapy is based around using essential oils as
‘medicines’, but in that country being an ‘aromatherapist’ requires a
qualification similar to being a medical doctor. So we recommend that
you do not take essential oils internally without recommendation from a
properly qualified therapist.
Massage
Aromatherapy massage is one of the best
ways to experience aromatherapy essential oils, combining as it does
the benefit of touch and the therapeutic effect of the essential oils.
Massage relaxes muscles and improves circulation and lymph flow, soothes
physical tension and relieves mental stress.
Essential oils should
always be diluted in a good quality carrier oil before applying to skin.
The normal dilution is about 10-20 drops of essential oil to 30ml of
carrier oil. Sensitive skin may require half this concentration, or even
less.
Oshadhi Massage Oils are wonderfully rich blends, created for
specific purposes, with a full 10-13% component of essential oil. So you
can dilute them as required.
You may enjoy creating your own massage
oil by combining approximately 5ml of your favourite Oshadhi Synergy
Blend with 200 ml of Oshadhi Organic Carrier Oil such as sweet almond,
hazelnut, or sunflower.
Mouthwash
The antiseptic and antibacterial
effect of aromatherapy essential oils can be perfect for freshening the
breath and to help maintain healthy gums, etc. Simply add a few drops of
an essential oil to a cup of water, and swill around the mouth. Do not
swallow.
Sauna
To refresh the sauna and to enjoy the
therapeutic effects of the essential oil, mix five drops of your chosen
essential oil in one cup of water and pour over the hot rocks.
Alternatively you may like to try one of our floral sauna blends. Simply
pour a couple of undiluted capfuls over the rocks, lie back and relax
.
Scented Pillow
One or two drops of an
aromatherapy oil on a pillow case or on a tissue inside the pillow case
is a wonderful way to enjoy the soothing and therapeutic effect of the
essential oils. Take care not to get the oil in your eyes!
Essential Oils at Work
You can sniff oils direct
from the bottle, or use a roller ball as required. The fragrance will
have a direct effect, and also the associative memory will help you stay
focussed and relaxed. Who knows, it might even mellow out your boss
too!
Essential Oils on the Road
Healing Garden Room Sprays help to make any hotel room a little more like home.