Aromatherapy And How You Can Benefit From It
Aromatherapy is the art and science of utilizing the oils extracted from aromatic plants and herbs to enhance health and beauty.
The benefits are not just physical either; essential oils can also have a soothing effect on the mind and emotions.
The essential oils extracted from plants and used in Aromatherapy cannot be duplicated synthetically though.
Synthetic oils can be manufactured to be chemically similar, but they lack all of the natural factors that make essential oils so valuable.
A further reason why synthetic oils are not a viable alternative to their natural counterparts is that the minor constituents are never identical in their structure and composition.
Essential oils are usually extracted from flowers; herbs; spices; woods and fibers by distillation, expulsion or solvent extraction (but the process of solvent extraction is only acceptable if all traces of the solvent are removed from the oils afterwards).
Some of the most common uses that are associated with essential oils are: Massage Massage is the most effective way to use aromatherapy oils.
It combines the properties of the oils with the therapeutic power of touch - a powerful combination.
Please note, though, that undiluted oils must never be massaged into the skin, but should, instead, be diluted with an odorless carrier oil, such as grape seed, sweet almond or peach kernel.
Essential oils are very powerful and are only needed in minute quantities.
A dilution ratio of one drop essential oil to two milliliters of carrier oil is a recommended level.
Bathing Adding aromatherapy oils to a bath is a simple, effective and pleasant way to relax and benefit from the therapeutic and soothing effects of the oil at the same time.
Water itself has therapeutic values and this further enhances the power of the oils.
For daily bathing, add 6 to 10 drops of essential oil (or a blend of oils) to the surface of the water, and then climb in and bathe yourself for about 20 minutes, whilst deeply inhaling the vapor.
For Compressing Add 5 to 10 drops of your desired essential oil to 100ml of warm water.
Soak a piece of clean cotton in the water, wring it out until just damp and then place the cloth on the affected area.
Inhalation Add 5 to 10 drops of your desired essential oil to a bowl of steaming hot water and then cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl and inhale the vapor for a few minutes.
Vaporization Essential oils are known antiseptics and they also evaporate easily, so they make very good air-fresheners.
Different oils can be used to create different atmospheres.
Sandalwood, for instance, promotes relaxation, but Peppermint clears the mind when you need to work.
Add a drop or two to the water in a diffuser and allow the oil to evaporate slowly into your work room or living quarters.
Perfumes It is incredibly easy to make your own distinctive smelling perfume by blending together different oils.
Try blending different combinations with a carrier oil or non-fragrant alcohol.
Experiment and find what works best for you.
The benefits are not just physical either; essential oils can also have a soothing effect on the mind and emotions.
The essential oils extracted from plants and used in Aromatherapy cannot be duplicated synthetically though.
Synthetic oils can be manufactured to be chemically similar, but they lack all of the natural factors that make essential oils so valuable.
A further reason why synthetic oils are not a viable alternative to their natural counterparts is that the minor constituents are never identical in their structure and composition.
Essential oils are usually extracted from flowers; herbs; spices; woods and fibers by distillation, expulsion or solvent extraction (but the process of solvent extraction is only acceptable if all traces of the solvent are removed from the oils afterwards).
Some of the most common uses that are associated with essential oils are: Massage Massage is the most effective way to use aromatherapy oils.
It combines the properties of the oils with the therapeutic power of touch - a powerful combination.
Please note, though, that undiluted oils must never be massaged into the skin, but should, instead, be diluted with an odorless carrier oil, such as grape seed, sweet almond or peach kernel.
Essential oils are very powerful and are only needed in minute quantities.
A dilution ratio of one drop essential oil to two milliliters of carrier oil is a recommended level.
Bathing Adding aromatherapy oils to a bath is a simple, effective and pleasant way to relax and benefit from the therapeutic and soothing effects of the oil at the same time.
Water itself has therapeutic values and this further enhances the power of the oils.
For daily bathing, add 6 to 10 drops of essential oil (or a blend of oils) to the surface of the water, and then climb in and bathe yourself for about 20 minutes, whilst deeply inhaling the vapor.
For Compressing Add 5 to 10 drops of your desired essential oil to 100ml of warm water.
Soak a piece of clean cotton in the water, wring it out until just damp and then place the cloth on the affected area.
Inhalation Add 5 to 10 drops of your desired essential oil to a bowl of steaming hot water and then cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl and inhale the vapor for a few minutes.
Vaporization Essential oils are known antiseptics and they also evaporate easily, so they make very good air-fresheners.
Different oils can be used to create different atmospheres.
Sandalwood, for instance, promotes relaxation, but Peppermint clears the mind when you need to work.
Add a drop or two to the water in a diffuser and allow the oil to evaporate slowly into your work room or living quarters.
Perfumes It is incredibly easy to make your own distinctive smelling perfume by blending together different oils.
Try blending different combinations with a carrier oil or non-fragrant alcohol.
Experiment and find what works best for you.
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