If you’ve joined the aromatherapy trend, it’s high time to start using essential oils.
These guys are incredibly versatile – they can be used to wake you up, calm you down, boost your memory, and so much more.
The trick, of course, is knowing how to use essential oils for aromatherapy. This guide can help.
Inhalation
One of the most popular ways to use essential oils in aromatherapy is through inhalation. It’s like taking a fresh breath of vibrancy and calm.
A common way to do this is by using an oil diffuser. There are four main types of diffusers:
- Heat diffusers
- Nebulizer diffusers
- Ultrasonic/humidifying diffusers
- Evaporative diffusers
Heat diffusers take water with a few drops of essential oil and apply heat. As the water heats up and evaporates, it releases the oil into the air with it.
Nebulizer diffusers are the most powerful type of diffusers. There’s no heat and no water. Instead, the diffuser uses an atomizer to create fine particles of the essential oil, which it then blow into the air.
Ultrasonic or humidifying diffusers are similar to nebulizing diffusers, but they rely on water to create a cool mist. They double as a humidifier, which is good for the winter.
Finally, evaporative diffusers use a fan to increase airflow across a pad soaked in essential oil. As the oil evaporates, the fan blows the scent into the air.
Of course, if you want a quick fix of essential oils and don’t have a diffuser, you can do it the old fashioned way – spray some in the air.
Topical Use
Another popular option is topical use, in which essential oils are rubbed into the skin.
However, you should always be careful to dilute your oils before applying them to your skin, and always remember that less is more. Essential oils are absorbed through the skin, and too much oil can result in an overdose.
In addition, some oils (lavender and tea tree oil) can interfere with certain medications, so you should always check with your doctor to see if there are any you should avoid.
If you decide to try topical use, always test the oil first to make sure your skin isn’t allergic to it. To do this, add one drop of essential oil to 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil and apply it to your arm. If the area turns red or you experience any burning or itchiness, avoid that oil.
Choosing the Right Oil
There’s so much information about oils that it’s tricky to know what does what.
If you’re wondering, “Does it really work?” the answer is yes – as long as you choose the right oil for the job.
Tea tree oil, for example, has long been cited as a treatment for burns and skin irritation to promote healing. Peppermint has long been used to wake people up, while cinnamon can boost focus.
When in doubt, start with oils you can recognize – lavender, peppermint, lemon, orange, etc. You already know what they smell like.
Figuring Out How to Use Essential Oils for Aromatherapy
Figuring out how to use essential oils for aromatherapy is mostly a matter of trial and error. Find the method you like, find the oils you love, and you’re ready to go.
What’s your experience been with essential oils? What works for you? Let us know in the comments below!
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