adovr_d87389c80da99bef8f38776d3f905184 Articles medical and health: Learn How To Use Essential Oils At Home

Learn How To Use Essential Oils At Home

By Mattie MacDonald


Think about how the smell of cinnamon, vanilla or freshly cut grass makes you feel. It can bring back certain memories or make you feel happy, relaxed or energized. This is because the sense of smell is more powerful than any of the other senses. Learn how to use essential oils at home and you can channel this sense for therapeutic purposes too.

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 tool used in aromatherapy is different essential oils. They contain the basic fragrance of a plant in a highly concentrated form. There are different ways to produce these oils. Most often, the flowers, roots or leaves of a certain plant are heated up and then distilled to get the concentrated fragrance. Some plants, however, contain quite a bit of oil and you simply have to squeeze it out. Citrus fruits are an example.

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.

It's perfectly possible to use the aromatherapy oil on your skin as well. Tea tree oil, for instance, is great for treating infections. However, most oils should be diluted first, so add them to a carrier oil. Almond oil and grapeseed oil work particularly well but you can even use a fragrance-free skin cream. If you have sore and stiff muscles, massage them with a mixture containing clary sage, pine or lavender oil.

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.

Many people use their favorite oil in cosmetics that they make at home. For example, add some lemon oil to a face or hair mask. You can even make your own perfume. Simply add a few drops of oil, or even a combination of different oils, to a base of alcohol. Vodka works very well. Let the mixture stand for a couple of weeks and shake it regularly.

Many chain stores sell basic aromatherapy oils such as tea tree and lavender. You'll find a greater variety at your local chemist or health-food store. If you're looking for a very specialized oil, though, it's best to order it online.




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