Aromatherapy... What is it?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils with the intent of improving your well-being. 

Essential Oils have many wonderful and practical uses (like cleaning up cat vomit), but today we are specifically going to talk about the topical as well as the inhalation application, also called Aromatherapy.

Inhalation.  Typically through the use of a diffuser, which combines distilled water and essential oil droplets which are then sprayed into the air and inhaled, much like in a steam bath.  It is not wise to "inhale" essential oils directly unless you know for certain that the oil or blend you are inhaling is not going to singe your nostrils and cause your brain to melt, while it's very unlikely that your brain will melt, inhalation aromatherapy can actually help with respiratory issues and has many psychological benefits depending on the oil you choose.  

I like to change the type of oil I use with the seasons:
Spring: A wonderful mixture of floral and citrus is perfect!
Summer: Cooling mint mixed with some spicier scents, like ginger is fun!
Fall: My favorite fall mixture would have to be peppermint and orange!
Winter: With the holidays in the air, I love to mix woodsy scents with something spicy like cassia or cinnamon and maybe just a touch of peppermint!

I'll also change them when I want to alter my (or my kid's/husband's) mood.  For example, tangerine works really well for me,  lavender can help you if you are feeling overwhelmed and is great around bedtime.  Frankincense can help ground you and promotes relaxation and can help with depression while Wild Orange can help invigorate you and Peppermint can help you clear your overactive mind.

Bottom line is to have fun with creating your own favorite blends!  I'd love to hear your favorite blend in the comments below!  I'd also love to hear about your experiments gone wrong, so I don't try them!

Topical.   This is where I have the most experience.   I use essential oils almost daily in my Wellness Center.  We have several different blends that have many different uses, most of them are for muscle relief, but a few are used for their amazing psychological benefits.  Remember you always want to dilute essential oils before using them on your skin.  I prefer using Jojoba oil because it mimics our natural skin oil.

Here are the oils I use and what they are good for:
Eucalyptus/Peppermint:  LOL, a thought just occurred to me, this blend has a "camphor and menthol freshness" to it.  Although it makes it sound like some amazing cigarette flavor, do not attempt to smoke essential oils, I can't see it ending well, nor do I condone smoking....That being said, Eucalyptus is great for allergy sufferers as well as congestion and Peppermint has a cooling effect on angry muscles.

Peppermint/Orange:  Peppermint is great for tired and achy muscles and Orange is a great mood lifter.

Orange:  Promotes a feeling of happiness and is great for nourishing dry skin.

Lavender: Has anti-inflammatory properties and is great for treating anxiety and restlessness.

Lavender/Orange: I know what you’re thinking... No, these don't counteract one another.  They actually create a wonderful blend of happiness and relaxation, like a warm breeze on an early summer's morning.  

Lemongrass:  (A favorite among my staff) Not only does it have anti-inflammatory properties, it has anti-fungal and antioxidant properties as well, relieves nausea and stress and it helps to relieve headaches and smells like lemon drops... I can't imagine it tastes like lemon drops though... please don't ingest the essential oils, but if you do, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below...

Deep Blue:  (Deep Blue is a doTERRA product and contains: Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus)  Deep Blue is used for muscle aces and pains.  While this product is quite expensive, there are other brands out there that work just as efficiently.  Do you have a favorite muscle relieving essential oil blend?  Share it with us below and we'll give it a try and let you know what we think...

*With all essential oils, please take care to check for sensitivities before dousing yourself (or a loved one) with what may feel like lava from the pits of hell...
**Also, please be aware that some essential oils may not be recommended during pregnancy.  While they won't cause your baby to grow a third arm, it may cause preterm labor or possibly nausea and vomiting...which isn't great either.

Enjoy and be safe!