Aromatherapy is the term given to therapeutic treatments utilizing essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from plant material, mostly by steam distillation, and are extremely concentrated essences. Essential oils are used for many different reasons and in a number of different ways. They can truly address the needs of the body, mind and spirit.

They can be used to help with emotional challengers such as lack of self esteem or they can be used for more physical and mental problems such as stress, muscle aches and pains, headaches, depression, colds and flu etc. Aromatics have a long history of being used in religious or spiritual practices and today essential oils can be utilized to access the spiritual side of our nature.

• They can be diffused while meditating or praying.

• They can be used in a diffuser to create just the right mood or atmosphere or to clear a stuffy nose.

• They can be added to personal products such as soaps, body lotions and creams for skin care and personal hygiene.

• They can be used in baths, compresses or massage oils to enhance many different aspects of life.

True essential oils are extremely complex chemical compounds and are made up of anywhere from 50 - 500 different components. Some of these components are present in large amounts while others in miniscule amounts. Scientists have still not been able to identify all of the chemical compounds that make up any particular essential oil, what they have been able to do is to produce a substance which is similar in aroma. However, the synthetic product contains only a part of nature's wonderful secret recipe. It is the synergy of that wonderful recipe which produces the healing and therapeutic effects of essential oils; this can never be duplicated by synthetics.

In recent years we have experienced a return to more natural ways of dealing with things and aromatherapy is becoming more and more mainstream. It has also become a real marketing tool where anything that is scented is called 'Aromatherapy'. Sadly many of these products do not contain true essential oils but are made with fragrance oils (synthetics). A true healing, whether in body, mind or spirit can only be achieved when using true essential oils.

There are many ways to use essential oils around the home. Here are a few ideas. It is important to remember that we are each of us, unique individuals so take into consideration your own personal likes and dislikes when choosing essential oils for fragrancing.

For a peaceful sleep: put a drop of lavender on your pillow or on a cotton ball or tissue and place inside your pillowcase.

For burns: a drop or two of lavender on a mild burn will sooth the pain and will mostly prevent any blister from forming.

For getting rid of cooking smells: Some Lemon in a diffuser or aroma lamp will help get rid of cooking smells. You could also try Orange, Cinnamon or Clove.

For a fresh smelling fridge: You can add a drop or two of your favourite essential oil to the dish cloth you are using to wipe down your fridge.

For a fresh smelling bathroom: add 2 - 3 drops of your favourite essential oil to a tissue and place the tissue inside a toilet roll.

For a fresh smelling vacuum cleaner: Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to your vacuum cleaner bag.

For a nice ambience: Put your favourite essential oil or blend of essential oils in a diffuser or aroma lamp to scent the house.

For repelling moths: Place a few drops of cedarwood on a cotton wool ball and place in your drawers or cupboards.

For Potpourri: Gather dried leaves, flowers and small wood shavings. Crush the plant material to the desired size. Place in a wide mouthed glass jar and add the essential oils to the mixture. Stir contents well and tighten the lid on the jar. Let the potpourri rest for several days as this will allow the plant material time to absorb the aroma molecules.

For Laundry/Clothing Cupboard: Put 2 - 3 drops of essential oil or essential oil blend on a cotton wool ball and place between linen and clothes.

For Kitchen Surfaces: A blend, which is both a disinfectant and anti-bacterial to use around the house on all kitchen surfaces, including the floor. Kitchen cloths and dish clothes can also be rinsed in water containing the essential oil mix. This will also disinfect your chopping boards. For example blend together lavender 8 drops, lemon 10 drops, eucalyptus 5 drops rosewood 8 drops palmarosa 3 drops. Add 8 drops of this blend to 600ml of water.

Do remember that essential oils are highly concentrated substances and should never be used neat (undiluted) on the skin, but always diluted in water (e.g. in the bath) or in carrier oil (e.g. sweet almond, olive oil etc.). We do not recommend that essential oils be taken internally.

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This article was provided by Aroma Therapy Courses