Using Essential Oils for Healthy Living

Here are some simple massage techniques to bring healing and comfort to yourself or someone else: Use 12 to 15 drops of essential oil to one ounce carrier oil (be sure to choose oils indicated for topical use and best for skin. In a small glass bowl, add the essential oil and carrier oil. Stir with a wooden or glass stir. Set up your massage area. Aim to give the atmosphere a spa feeling. Add music Have the recipient lie comfortably on a sheet. Rub a dime size of the massage oil between your hands to warm it. Apply the massage oil to the recipient's body that requires attention. Give firm enough pressure so you feel the muscle moving under the skin. Use even strokes, massage slowly. When applying pressure, avoid contact with joints and bones. Use additional oil as needed. Dry areas such as knees, elbows, and feet often absorb the oil more quickly. Have the recipient rest comfortably for a few minutes after the massage. That's it. A simple massage technique r...

Ongoing research continues to reveal a variety of therapeutic benefits of essential oils when used on the skin. Among those benefits are: essential oils can help reduce inflammation of the skin essential oils enhances and supports wound healing essential oils treats successfully fungal, bacterial and viral infections affecting the skin essential oils in general supports and enhances skin health essential oils can relieve skin itching essential oils can support healthy scar tissue formation essential oils can prevent wrinkles and slow down the aging process essential oils supports the detoxification process essential oils serve as a barriers to harmful environmental threats to the skin and can be used to increase skin hydration With all the discovered therapeutic benefits of essential oils when used on the skin we can now understand why there is a great growth and popularity among the markets of cosmetics. Consumers continue to see more natural ways of maintaining the...

Aromatherapy compresses are useful to apply directly to the skin (a small localized area). You can use a cold compress to prevent or relieve congestion, reduce blood flow to an area and slow down inflammation. Use cold aromatic compresses using the RICE technique for pain relief of sprains, strains and bruising. Start the treatment immediately after the injury. Hot aromatic compresses are beneficial for relief of menstrual cramps and to increase blood flow to a particular part of the body. Cold and hot aromatic compresses are useful in the following situations most generally for the immediate alleviation of pain, swelling and inflammation: Muscular aches and pains (hot or cold as indicated) Sprains and strains (hot or cold as indicated) Menstrual cramps Respiratory decongestant Fevers Make a compress: Fill a sink or large bowl with about 1 liter of hot or cold water Place 5 to 10 drops of essential oils (known for the properties of pain relief, relief of congestion,...

Aromatic inhalation can be a very effective way of relieving chest congestion as well as a variety of emotional states. When you feel a cold coming on with a congested nose and increased mucus, this method is very beneficial. Most of us have heard of Vicks VapoRub. Vicks VapoRub is the perfect example of a modern day aromatic inhalation substance. Having a knowledge of which essential oils to use for a salve or inhalation is even better. As the use of Aromatherapy techniques grow we are finding more and more hospitals use inhalations to help reduce anxiety, reduce nausea in labor units and just in general calming patients. Aromatherapy inhalations are useful in the following situations: Respiratory issues Headaches/Migraines Insomnia or other sleep disorders Motion sickness/Nausea Anxiety/stress/distress Aromatic inhalers are especially useful to help calm down motion sickness during vacations on cruise ships. Ways you can use Aromatherapy Inhalations include: ...

One of the most effective Aromatic body treatments for stimulating circulation is the salt scrub. The salt scrub is also highly effective at removing dirt and dead skin cells (exfoliating body skin) revealing soft and glowing skin after the treatment. After an Aromatic salt scrub treatment your skin should start producing its own natural secretions and be more efficient at accepting the essential oils applied following your new salt glow. When creating an effective Aromatic salt scrub stay clear of Epsom salt and use a fine-to-medium-sized sea salt. Anything too coarse will scratch or damage the skin. Making an Aromatic Salt Scrub is fairly simple. Mix 2 cups of sea salt with 1/2 cup of a natural vegetable oil of your choice (almond, apricot or sunflower oil works well in a sea salt scrub). Add 7 to 25 drops of favorite essential oil or create a specific targeted problem synergy of essential oils. The total drops you end up using will depend upon the essential oils you choose a...

Aromatic Spritzers are useful in a variety of situations. They are easy to make using your favorite essential oils or for specific purposes such as to energize or awaken you after a sudden "stress" or what have you. You can use them on hot days to help cool you down. Keep them in the refrigerator for an extra cool you down treat when a heat wave strikes. You can use aromatic spritzers to: freshen the air in your room or immediate surroundings to reduce undesirable odors in the air to help you breathe easier such as during panic attacks or during times of cold and flu to give you energy when you feel you need a pep me up Aromatic spritzers are easy to make. Use a 2 to 4 ounce dark colored glass bottle with a spray attachment (made especially for aromatic products). Fill the bottle with spring or distilled water just to the neck of the bottle. Add 15 to 30 drops of choice of essential oils. Shake Well. Shake before each use. Keep in the refrigerator if possible....

Since ancient times baths have been known for their health benefits. The Romans are probably best known for using baths extensively specifically for their health benefits. They had beautiful and elaborate bath houses. They also used aromatic oils in their baths to relieve stress and help with other health problems. The effects of a full body aromatic bath will vary according to the temperature of water, the time spent in the bath and the essential oils used for the bath. The average time to yield therapeutic results is 20 minutes or less. Aromatic full-body baths help with: reducing stress and anxiety alleviating muscular aches, pains and tensions soothing mental and/or physical fatigue stimulating circulation all over the body reducing pain and stiffness in tendons and joints improving skin tone and the general health of the skin aiding detoxification How many drops of essential oil do you need for a full-body bath? This depends upon which oils you choose to us...

You should cleanse your face twice a day to help remove dead cells, grime from your environment, all traces of make-up, bacteria and excess sebum. If you cleanse the right day twice per day you are more likely to keep your pores open and healthy. Miss a few sessions and you set yourself up for blocked pores and for some outbreaks of acne. Many skin experts recommend the use of essential oils in your cleansing agents. Products having essential oils are ideal because they are lipid based, excellent emollients and maximize your defense against environmental attacks upon the skin. Use lotions, gels and creams containing essential oils for the best of a skin care routine. Apply cleanser and massage into the skin. Remove with warm water. Splash your face with cool water to help open up the pores. You can make your own essential oils cleansers, consult with a certified aromatherapist for products tailored specific to your needs and even add essential oils to unscented cleansers. ...

Aromatherapy Facial Creams are more than facial oils or serums. Typically, the facial cream will contain oil and water combinations making the cream capable of providing extra moisture to the skin. An Aromatherapy Facial Cream will: soften your skin nourish your skin moisturize your skin A facial oil or facial serum most usually will  not deliver the same benefits as a facial cream. Typically, one uses a facial cream and then a facial oil or serum. Daily facial cream use is a must especially if you have dry and dehydrated skin. If your skin is well hydrated but just lacks oil or is dry, you might be be able to get by with just a facial oil or serum.  Usually though most females use a cream right after cleansing in mornings and nights. A serum is then used as extra protection after the cream is applied. The great thing about Aromatherapy oils and creams is that a formulator or Aromatherapist can prepare a formula to address your specific needs in detail. A...

If you are looking for a specialized body oil to help enhance the health of your skin while at the same time relieving stress and/or addressing your muscular skeletal ailments or problems, try Aromatherapy body oils! Aromatherapy body oils, unlike any other kind of body oil, can be specifically designed to your particular needs. There is a huge variety of vegetable and herbal oils an aromatherapist can use to offer you excellent protective and emollient properties. These aromatherapy products can help reduce water loss that will improve skin hydration and provide barrier defense against environmental attacks on the skin.  You can also learn to make aromatherapy body oils yourself, however, to precisely address your needs with the precise oils, carrier oils and dilution rate, I do recommend you seeing a certified aromatherapist first.  A certified aromatherapist is trained in addressing your unique needs. You will of course be asked to answer a series of questio...

Eucalyptus Globulus is from the plant family of Myrtaceae. It is grown in Australia and South Africa. It is extracted from plant leaves and mature branches. It is especially useful in products to help the respiratory system. Here are some of the main therapeutic properties of Eucalyptus Globulus: It is an analgesic It is an antibacterial It is an antictarrhal It is an antifungal It is an anti-inflammatory It is an antiseptic It is an antiviral It is a decongestant It is an expectorant My best description of the aroma includes: "medicine" like strong camphor like balsamic fresh Eucalyptus essential oil is an expectorant that can stimulate bronchial secretions.  Ways to use Eucalyptus include: Diffusion in a bath in a foot bath in a spritzer or spray Some studies have shown Eucalyptus Globulus can relieve pain after surgeries. Connie Limon, Aromatherapist Level 1 Learn more in my Facebook group here: https://www.facebo...

As with all medicines, keep essential oils out of the reach of children. This may require some creativity as no cap on essential oils are childproof, and if you store them in the refrigerator it becomes even more difficult to keep them out of reach of children.  If you do store your oils in the refrigerator and have children in the household you will need to place a lock on your storage box. Otherwise, if you store your oils just in a cool part of your house, keeping them out of reach of a child's hand may be easier for you. Do not use or recommend use of photosensitizing essential oils prior to going into the sun or a tanning booth. Severe, and I mean very severe burns can occur. Know which oils are photosensitizing in products you prepare for clients and always place a warning label upon them as well as "verbally" instruct the client. If you use photosensitizing oils such as in a massage for a client, be sure to advise the client to stay out of the sun for at ...

Even if you are new to essential oils you have probably run across something about using them during pregnancy. The main concern during pregnancy is the oils crossing over into the placenta and affecting the growing fetus adversely. The risk of harm depends upon several different factors. The general consensus on this subject is to just to avoid using essential oils completely at least during the first few months of pregnancy. To this date, there are no known records of harm to the fetus when a woman uses just a few drops of essential oil in a nightly bath nor are there records of adversities for women who use essential oils normally by inhalation or topically, however, it is still in general advisable that a woman avoid all use of essential oils especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy.  I tend to think it is always better safe than sorry and becoming that one woman in millions who has problems using essential oils at anytime during pregnancy.  As an Aromathe...

Hold the bottle about 4 to 5 inches away from your nose. Move the bottle upward toward your nose until you start smelling the aroma Gently move the bottle back and forth from the left nostril to the right nostril. The aroma should expand as you continue to smell having several layers to the aroma. High-quality genuine essential oils will be pleasant to the nose. Fake essential oil or low quality oils tend to attack the nose with  strong odor and then die off. Pure Essential oils continue to expand and develop as you continue to smell them. Connie Limon, Aromatherapist, Level 1 Learn more in my Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthwellnessusingessentialoils/about/

These tests can be performed at home. You will need a clean white sheet of blotting or watercolor paper. Place on drop of essential oil on the paper. Wait 24 to 48 hours. The essential oil should evaporate completely and leave no oily film. Non-colored Citrus oils are best suited for this test. In a clear glass of water, drop one drop of essential oil. If the water turns discolored or milky, the essential oil has been diluted with water and an emulsifier has been used to keep the essential oil and water together, which means, this is not  pure essential oil. Compare viscosity by placing a drop of essential oil between two fingers on one hand and a drop of carrier oil between two fingers on the other hand. You should no feel the same oily texture to the essential oil as you feel with the base oil. If both feel the same, it is possible the essential oil has been extended in a carrier or base oil. Probably the most powerful tool of all is our nose and sense of smell. This...

You have decided to start  using essential oils. There are so many sources to buy essential oils, you are simply overwhelmed trying to decide. Most of them say, their oils are the purest and genuine. How do you know their claims are true? On the label, there should be some uniform information that can help you decide which oils are fake and which oils are actually genuine. This information should also be in their catalog or on their websites. Here is what you should look for when searching for genuine essential oils. Common name plus the Latin names (the Latin name is made up of two parts, genus and species) The genus is the category of plants similar in botanical structure and is the first word always italicized and capitalized. For example: Lavandula. The species name tells you the exact plant within a specific genus. The species name is actually the full Latin binomial and is represented in the second part of the name. The species name is always italicized and ...

Why are essential oils produced? Essential oils are produced worldwide. They serve in a variety of industries and for a variety of purposes including: the cosmetic industry pharmaceuticals tobacco industries food and flavoring perfume industries used as preservatives in cosmetics used as preservatives in food used as insect repellents used in fragrance compounds for perfumes used in mouthwashes used to eliminate or mask unpleasant odors Most industries are not very concerned with the purity of the essential oil. For example: Essential oil used in perfume or fragrance oils made in labs for mass selling more than likely will be produced to maintain consistency in aroma or to reduce cost of making a final product. To produce genuine aromatherapy products having exact therapeutic properties, one must be certain of the purity of the essential oils used. Authentic essential oils from plants are the necessary ingredients for producing genuine aromatherapy product...

Hydrosols are a co-product of the distillation process. Hydrosols do have therapeutic benefits. You must be aware that adding essential oils to water does NOT create Hydrosols. If you are interested in purchasing Hydrosols, there is a growing market. You need to read the label ingredients carefully to be sure you are getting a true Hydrosol product. Water and essential oils mixed together with or without a dispersal are called "spritzers" or "aromatic spritzers." Do not confuse this aromatic product with true Hydrosols. Connie Limon, Certified Aromatherapist Level 1 Join my Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthwellnessusingessentialoils/about/