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Monday 8 September 2014

The Basics Of How To Use Essential Oils At Home


By Mattie MacDonald


Think of how certain scents can evoke specific memories. The smell of vanilla or cinnamon may remind you of your granny's kitchen while the green scent of freshly mowed grass may remind you of summer. Smell is one of the most powerful senses and if you know how to use essential oils at home, you'll find that it may even help improve your health.

Aromatherapy is based on the idea that certain smells can have certain effects on the body. The right smell can help you relax, lift your spirits and energy levels, fight infections or reduce pain. It's not a substitute for proper medical treatment when you're suffering from serious ailments but it can help reduce those everyday aches and pains.

The main ingredient in your aromatherapy tool kit should be a range of essential oils. Every one of these captures the fragrance of a certain plant and it's very concentrated. To get the oil, manufacturers use different methods for different plants. For grapefruit oil, for instance, they'll simply press the skin of the fruit to release the fragrant oil. More often the way to make the oil is through distillation, though.

A simple way to use the essential oil of your choice is by heating it in an aromatherapy burner. This device normally consists of a bowl shape that contains the oil and is heated from below by a small candle to release the fragrant vapors. If you need to study, put some basil, grapefruit or other citrus oil in the burner to help improve your focus. Your house will smell wonderful too.

You can use your essential oil on your skin too. However, oils are too strong to use on their own and you need to dilute them with a carrier oil such as grapeseed or almond oil. Tea tree oil is great for treating wounds because of its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. For sore muscles, massage the skin with an oil containing lavender, pine or clary sage.

When you're suffering from a winter cold, there's a great way to open up clogged sinuses and relieve coughing. Simply add some peppermint and eucalyptus oil to a steam inhaler and let the vapors do their work. If you don't have a steam inhaler, use a bowl of boiling water instead, with a towel over your head to trap the steam. Add some lavender oil too to help you sleep.

A great way to use the different essential oils is to add them to homemade cosmetics, such as hair treatments or face masks. Choose them for their special properties or simply because you like the smell. You can even mix your favorites with some rubbing alcohol or vodka, let it stand for a couple of weeks and then use it as a unique perfume.

Among the most popular aromatherapy oils are lavender and tea tree. These works for a wide range of ailments and are widely available. You may even find them in your local supermarket. Chemists and health stores tend to stock a greater variety and for that highly specialized oil, simply get it online.




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