Herbal Aromatherapy |

by Sudanna Saiah

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of pure plant essential oils to support health and wellbeing. Essential oils work on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. It is a true holistic therapy.

There are many different essential oils with different properties. They are safe and easy to use and incorporate into your daily lie. Following are a few easy ways to put essential oils to use in your home and make them a healthy part of your life.

Benefits of Aromatherapy Candles

These all natural candles disperse the aroma of essential oils in the air on the gentle heat of the candle. All pure, with no chemicals or toxins, they are the healthiest candles, often made of soy or beeswax. The many fragrances have the added therapeutic benefit of the oil. Changing your mood is as easy as lighting a candle. Select calming, uplifting, energizing or escape.

An Aromatherapy Diffuser for Every Use

There are graceful soapstone diffusers that heat oil and water in a bowl above a tea light candle. There are convenient electric diffusers, portable diffusers, and personal stone diffusers that you can carry with you.

More Ways to Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can be mixed into personal body spray, room sprays, body and bath oil and bath salt.

Aromatherapy Bath to Relax and Soothe Tired Muscles

An aromatherapy candle can create ambiance in the bath, while aromatherapy bath salts, soap, and oils go to work on sore, achy muscles. Aromatherapy bath salts, will essential oils of lavender and peppermint, relieve pain and stiffness. Chamomile relaxes deeply and eucalyptus is great for colds and congestion.

Aromatherapy Lavender Laundry Rinse

By adding a little lavender oil or hydrosol to the rinse water before adding the clothes, your laundry will be fresh and uplifting. It is different from that synthetic scent of laundry supplies. Enjoy the truly beneficial healing power of lavender day and night. Fresh lavender sheets soothe distress and lull you to sleep. You will be so relaxed and enjoy drifting off to sleep, and feel great in the morning.

Aromatherapy for the Bedroom

Ambiance in the bedroom is important for your sound, restful sleep. It is also important for keeping stress out of the bedroom so that your love life can flourish. Set that relaxing tone in the bedroom with aromatherapy candles and diffusers. Enjoy soft lighting na relaxing scents. You will never go without it again! For even more relaxing sleep, put a drop of lavender oil on a tissue and place it under your pillow before retiring. If you have trouble sleeping try an aromatherapy foot bath and rub the feet with aromatherapy massage oil before bed. It works wonders! Add chamomile for even calmer sedating to lull you to sleep.

Non-Toxic House Cleaning

Using naturals to clean and disinfect is not only healthier, but more pleasant. It is even healing as oils are antimicrobial and support our health and immune systems. Use pine, grapefruit, orange, and lemon.

Make an Aromatherapy Body Oil

Mix 30 drops of essential oil per one ounce of carrier (base) oil. Use an all natural vegetable oil that is pure and cold pressed. Olive oil and safflower can be used from the kitchen. Lavender is an all-purpose oil great for the muscles, relieves pain, headache, and tension and smells lovely.

Aromatherapy Room Spray

Add 30 drops of essential to each ounce of pure water to give the room a quick pick up. Lavender essential oil is antiseptic and antimicrobial. It disinfects with a beautiful scent, and is calming and relaxing. Spray on sheets before bed for a peaceful and restful sleep.

In Closing

Aromatherapy can be added to your daily life simply and easily. It is a safe and simple way to a wellness centered environment, making your home a healing space. You can your family will enjoy the benefits.

Oils for Home Use

A few oils you will want to keep in stock.

Lavender Peppermint Grapefruit Frankincense Chamomile

How to Make a Blend with Spray or Oil.

Blend 30 drops of essential oil to one ounce of base. Use one essential oil or a mixture to your liking. For body oils, simply blend into olive oil or safflower.

For more info on essential oils and various carrier oils see http://www.alchemistsroom.us. For more on health and wellness visit http://www.nativebodyworx.us. Copyright Dana Saiah, The Alchemist’s Room, Native Enterprises, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.

About the Author:
Come visit Dana’s The Alchemist’s Room. You will find tons of useful information and get recommendations from Dana. Dana is a graduate of Mercer University Atlanta, and is certified and licensed in the field of Massage, Bodywork and Nutrition. For more on Dana’s services, gift certificates or nutritional and fitness products visit The Alchemist’s Room.

by Sudanna Saiah

Aromatherapy uses pure, plant essential oils for their beneficial health properties. These healing oils work on a holistic level - all mind, body, spirit and emotion. More than a nice scent, they are absorbed into the body and begin their healing work.

The different properties of the various essential oils provide an application for almost everything. They are a pleasant and easy way to incorporate wellness into your daily life. Here are a few simple ways to use aromatherapy every day in your home.

Benefits of Aromatherapy Candles

These all natural candles disperse the aroma of essential oils in the air on the gentle heat of the candle. All pure, with no chemicals or toxins, they are the healthiest candles, often made of soy or beeswax. The many fragrances have the added therapeutic benefit of the oil. Changing your mood is as easy as lighting a candle. Select calming, uplifting, energizing or escape.

An Aromatherapy Diffuser for Every Use

Diffusers come in a wide variety, methods, shapes and sizes. There is one for every use. You may prefer the ambiance o a candle, the convenience of an electric, dispersion with a fan or a small personal stone for travel or carrying with you.

More Ways to Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can be mixed into personal body spray, room sprays, body and bath oil and bath salt.

Aromatherapy for the Bath

Create a relaxing ambiance in the bath to unwind. Aromatherapy candles, soap, bath salts and bath oils lull the muscles into submission. The bath salts will help remove muscle tightening lactic acid during the bath while essential oils such as lavender and peppermint or eucalyptus and birch relax the muscles, stimulate circulation and relieve any pain, tension in the muscles or headaches and cramps.

Aromatherapy for the Laundry

Get the healing benefits of lavender all day by putting a few drops of oil (it is not a real oil) or hydrosol to the rinse water before adding the clothes. No synthetic scent, just pure, healing lavender. It also kills germs. Lavender sheets will make bedtime special and so relaxing. Even when the scent is very light, it has its peaceful effect. You will get up on the right side of the bed every morning!

Aromatherapy for the Bedroom

Keeping the bedroom calm, soothing and relaxing goes a long way toward healing sleep and toward de-stressing your love life. Add to the lavender sheets, aromatherapy candles and diffusers for warm lighting and lovely, relaxing scent. An aromatherapy foot bath or foot massage also is great for helping you get a good night’s sleep. Try chamomile to help you fall asleep. Put a few drops on a tissue and tuck under your pillow. Also you may put a few drops on an aroma stone on your night stand.

Uplifting House Cleaning

Using naturals to clean and disinfect is not only healthier, but more pleasant. It is even healing as oils are antimicrobial and support our health and immune systems. Use pine, grapefruit, orange, and lemon.

Making Aromatherapy Body Oil

Mix 30 drops of essential oil per one ounce of carrier (base) oil. Use an all natural vegetable oil that is pure and cold pressed. Olive oil and safflower can be used from the kitchen. Lavender is an all-purpose oil great for the muscles, relieves pain, headache, and tension and smells lovely.

Aromatherapy Room Spray

Blend 30 drops per ounce of essential oil in pure water to give the room a quick pick up. Lavender essential oil is antiseptic and antimicrobial. It disinfects with a beautiful scent, and is calming and relaxing. Spray on sheets before bed for a peaceful and restful sleep.

And so . . .

Make this natural and health-giving alternative a part of your life today. Simple and graceful it imparts wellness to you, your family and home. Everyone benefits.

Oils for Home Use

You will want to keep each of these oils at home.

Lavender Peppermint Grapefruit Frankincense Chamomile

How to Make a Spray or Oil.

Use 30 drops of essential oil to one ounce of base. Use one essential oil or a mixture to your liking. For body oils, simply blend into olive oil or safflower.

For more info on essential oils and various carrier oils see http://www.alchemistsroom.us. For more on health and wellness visit http://www.nativebodyworx.us. Copyright Dana Saiah, The Alchemist’s Room, Native Enterprises, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.

About the Author:
Would you like clinical quality aromatherapy recommended by a professional? Visit Dana’s Site The Alchemist’s Room

by Soraya Mills

Aromatherapy has been gaining a lot of popularity lately and more and more people are enjoying the perils of essential oils. There are many sceptics out there but at the same time there are millions of people who swear about the beneficial effects of essential oils used in aromatherapy.

The way essential oils work is by stimulating the limbic system of our brain. Every oil has a different impact because every scent influences a different part of our brain. As a result of the impact on the limbic system essential oils give out benefits for different parts of our body.

The way essential oils are applied is through a massage. What happens then is that the oils are absorbed by the skin or inhaled. Then they travel through the blood stream reaching organs of the body.

It doesnt take that long to feel the effects of the absorption. It usually takes anywhere between 20 minutes to a few hours. Once the oils have been applied to your body they will need to stay on your skin for a couple of hours just so the oils are fully absorbed and thus getting the most out of them.

How long a fragrance lasts also depends on the fragrance. Some last a couple of hours while others can last up to a whole day. Different aromatherapy oils last longer than others. For instance, eucalyptus, peppermint, thyme, and bergamot are examples of oils that dont last that long. On the other hand, hyssop, lavender and balm essential oils can last up to 72 hours. Then there are oils like jasmine, sandalwood, ginger and cedar wood that can last for up to a week.

In order to know which oils to apply it is important to predetermine ones needs and requirements. Then again, if there are more than a few needs it is important to know how to combine the oils to give out desired effects.

Combinations of aromatherapy oils can be mixed to give a massage or even in the bathtub and thus relax and calm an individual. The healing and calming effects of essential oils are many. Make sure you do your research and find which ones are good for what you need.

About the Author:
There is a lot to learn about Aromatherapy Oils. Searching online for information and discounts on essential oils is good. You can find great prices on all essential oils even Peppermint Aromatherapy Oil.

by Jasmine Best

Essential oils or aromatherapy oils have been around for thousands of years based on accounts that place the first uses of aromatherapy in 3,000 BC by the Egyptian people. The primary uses of aromatherapy oils and essential oils then was for embalming, cosmetics and medicinal purposes.

From the Egyptians the aromatherapy knowledge was then passed to the Greeks who took it to the next level with several discoveries regarding the physical effects of fragrances, herbs and flowers.

This knowledge was passed on to the Greeks and served as the basis for more discoveries, including the relaxing and stimulating effects of the fragrance of some flowers. Going back further, ancient man’s dependence on the environment for all his basic needs and survival led him to discover natural ways of food preservation and the treatment of various conditions using herbs and aromatics.

These days aromatherapy is almost synonymous with the alternative medicines definition of good health. Party because of the increase in costs of conventional medicine such as surgery and medicare and partly due to a better understanding of how aromatherapy works, these processes have been gaining a significant amount of attention and popularity.

The primary benefits of aromatherapy have to do with providing the basis for physical, mental and spiritual well being. All this achieved through entirely natural means. The primary components of aromatherapy are oils, aromatherapy oils or most commonly referred to as essential oils.

The oils are made from different plants and herbs, fruit, flowers bark and other types of organic materials. According to experts it is not easy to get the essential oils from the plants. It is a tough and time consuming process that requires expertise and patience. It is also expensive. For instance, to make a single 10ml of oil requires the processing of 220 pounds of rose pedals.

About the Author:
There is a lot to know about Aromatherapy Oils. Searching online for information and discounts on essential oils is good. You can locate amazing prices on all essential oils even Eucalyptus Aromatherapy Oil.

by Linda Wight

When I last visited the store, it seemed as though everywhere I turned there were many different products promising results, which were simply based on the fact that they contained a specific aromatherapy scent, which would include candles, oils, and shampoos. But, there was one key question that kept popping up in my head: are all these aromatherapy treatments just fluff, which are aimed at selling more products to consumers or could they be linked to some actual research?

Aromatherapy has been around for many centuries and dates back to when the Egyptians were walking the planet. But, as individuals we are experiencing this phenomenon in our everyday lives, and are all not aware of it. There are probably a good deal of times that you have walked down the street or gone into a room and suddenly smelt something that brought back wonderful memories, or simply made you feel great and energized. Each time that this happens to you, you are experiencing aromatherapy; something that occurs passively in your daily life.

You will find that in the end, aromatherapy is structured around science, which will reflect the interactions between an individual’s psychological, neurology and immune system. Additionally, there have been a number of different researches which have recognised a strong correlation between both the positive and negative experiences of using aromatherapy, and something which positively affects our immune system and psyche. More so, it was found that the old adage of mind over body has been understood and recognized by science, as well as the modern medical field. But, you will need to also consider that you are able to boost your mood by creating a more positive outlook and using aromatherapy, and by doing this you will be able to strengthen your overall body, mind and spirit.

Also, you should recognise that aromatherapy works because it utilizes your own sense of smell - the strongest sense in your body. And, because this sense, dislike any other, has a path that directly leads to your brain it has more influence on your overall feeling and mood. Also, you will find that there have been a number of different scientific and medical researches that have proven this entry portal will affect your own conscious thought and reactions. This is because your own limbic system is in charge of your memories (both short and long term), learned responses, and emotions and feelings you experience and feel.

It has been scientifically and medically proven that through this direct portal, aromas are able to directly affect conscious thought and your reactions, because the limbic system is responsible for our memories (from short to long term), learned responses, and our emotions and feelings.

You will find that although aromatherapy does utilize a person’s sense of smell, by triggering some specific areas of the brain, it will also work by directly absorbing some essential oil molecules into the body. It will do this whether through the bronchial tract (if using steam distillation) or through massaging or soaking the skin with the oil.

For instance, peppermint as an oil has been known for its ability to calm a person’s digestive problems and will work best for this specific instance when it is inhaled, yet others work best when they are massaged into an individual’s skin.

It is important also to recognize that although certain essential oils have specific benefits they do not work equally for each individual. For instance Lavender is considered to be very effective in calming the mind, body and spirit however if you do not like the fragrance of Lavender it will not have the same effect on you, therefore it is important to work with the essential oils that you enjoy.

You won’t find this task particularly difficult either, as you will experience that finding essential oils to meet your requirements will be simple as most have similar or overlapping benefits. Therefore, you will be left with feeling relaxed as you have a range of different options to choose. Also, you will find that there are a number of other options to choose from too, which is to mix different essential oils together to create your own fragrance. There are a few individuals who choose this option because they will ultimately receive benefits.

About the Author:
Linda has a wealth of experience in the different areas of aromatherapy and alternative medicine for people considering does aromatherapy work and whether they should use it in their own lives. She has also been asked does alternative medicine work too.

by Sandra Clarke

Most of us have been taught to curse our physical symptoms and to get rid of them through surgery or medication or to deny or cope with them. Doing this sends messages to ourselves that say “You’re not important.” or “This organ or breast isn’t needed.” We tell ourselves we don’t have time to feel, grieve or heal naturally. However, if we can see our first symptoms as inherent messengers, we can learn natural remedies to prevent many of our health-related issues. Our bodies tell the truth. We can learn how our emotions manifest as physical challenges.

Looking in the mirror, I witnessed my own emotional pain as a “physical art form,” and as this honest messenger transformed in front of my eyes, I healed from a devastating disease. By age 37 I felt successful in my new clothes, home and car. I was hired when companies needed help in solving complex business problems, and my normal workday averaged 12 to 14 hours.

Then one day it was all over. I was in a specialist’s office being diagnosed with rosacea, an incurable, deforming, disfiguring facial skin disease. Treating myself like an infallible machine had caught up with me. The disease had no mercy as it continued to worsen for the next six years. I spent all my financial resources going from medical specialists to naturopathic practitioners, in my heart begging to understand how my immune system could heal and repair.

I concluded that the body is a natural system, so I chose to avoid medications. Fifty doctors later, I was still searching for those same answers. I was determined to prove that the inherent intelligence within me knew how to heal me, after six years I began to doubt my core belief.

Once I had progressed into my 40’s, I could see my skin was worse, it was red and inflamed, and I had daily boils. I also found that the sight in my eyes was going and was unable to read drive and watch tv all that well either. Obviously, this had a significant impact on the plans and dreams I had in my life. I would come to realise and think, mostly when I was alone, that I sympathised with people who had taken their own lives because of the pain.

In the seventh year I met a Korean doctor who diagnosed me differently from all the others. The disease, he believed, wasn’t just on my face. My natural biological rhythms were no longer in harmony, and my face was a direct reflection of my being traumatized from emotional fear and stressed-filled organs. He noticed other symptoms of exhaustion including an internal, uncomfortable quiver and a knot in my stomach, cold hands and feet, varied body temperature, and shallow breathing with chest pains. My body felt lifeless and frail. He said I must find peace within, whatever the price. I hadn’t experienced peace or joy for years!

After this encounter I decided to begin emotional therapy. I first addressed the fears which had consumed me since my diagnoses, and then went back further through my past. I looked to face my work addiction and decided that I needed to treat my mental disease of being a workaholic - as I had denied a lot of personal things in life. I had felt a personal feeling of worthiness and thus needed to push the addiction forward. I wanted to stay busy and this resulted in exhaustion which caused me to feel angry and resentful because I had done this. I had served others for many years and this had impacted negatively on me and I didn’t stop doing it until my friends stopped me.

I shared my story for a number of years with other people, and I had cried and tried to release some of the pent-up emotion inside, and I also became heavily involved with the local community. I came across a miracle that I healed my body naturally and without taking any medication, which meant my scars disappeared and my eye sight returned to normal. I followed a healthy diet and exercise regularly which helped my body in the transformation - something that we should all trust in ourselves.

About the Author:
Sandra has been through an arduous time over the past few years reviewing how to heal myself naturally and believes that she has achieved some different goals. Also, she understands that natural healing solutions could be the way to progress in the future.

by Amy Nutt

The face is the focal point of the body. It is, for the most part, where people are looking the most when they are talking to a person. With this evident, it should be taken care of as much as possible. Unfortunately, there are many people that are struggling with the condition of their skin. There are a plethora of reasons why this may be, from diet ranging all the way to genetics. Luckily, there are many methods that a person can take to improve the quality of the skin, such as a facialsl.

Don’t Worry! The facial has been seen as a method to improve skin for years, and the results are amazing. Many people have taken up this relaxing technique for years, and the proof is in the pudding. The goal of the facial is mostly seen as a method to relax the body and mind, but the process also has much to due in the improvement of the skin. The products used in the treatments are usually pretty great, and they are generally leading brands in the field of skin care.

Extractions are widely accepted as the best way for a facial to really help the quality of the skin, and can usually be the difference between a regular facial and just a relaxation facial. Many say that it is probably the best idea to have a facial performed every month and a half to make for the best results, and the results really are amazing!

Education and Better Skin Even after the process of the facial is said and done, there is also the knowledge that one gains after the procedure. Estheticians are ones that are quite knowledgeable about the skin, and they can provide excellent information conducive in possessing the skin that the person considers their personal best. One of the biggest steps in fighting bad skin is education, and when used in conjunction with a relaxing facial, they will find that they look better than they ever have.

The facial is amazing on all three of these levels. Not only is it relaxing, it also has the potential to make for better skin, as well as the people providing information on making the skin live up its fullest potential. With this said, there is simply why people would not want to go out and get one as soon as possible, as we all can use better quality skin!

There are many different ways to achieve optimal skin care, and while they may work, there is simply nothing better for the skin and the mind than a facial. And when choosing to use products, there is no telling what may happen to the skin without adequate help. When consulting the help of professionals, there will be less of a chance of wasting money on a product that will not particularly work for a specific type of skin.

Just like in anything endeavor, it’s always best to have the opinion of someone who knows exactly what they are doing when making a tough decision.

About the Author:
The Facial Place provide acne treatment, laser hair removal, facial Laser Skin Treatment and many other Spa Pickering, Spa Ajax products and services

by Melissa Sage

Aromatherapy is extremely exciting, but people often find themselves asking, “How do I USE these oils?” Anyone who’s gone crazy over an essential oil understands that once you find an oil you love, you want to smell it constantly. Such is the power of scent! Smelling beautiful oils from their tiny blue bottles is how most of us end up buying essential oils, but we don’t want to stop there. A unique way to use your oils is to create aromatherapy sprays or misters. This application allows you to work with the healing properties of essential oils without necessitating carrier oils or diffusers. Best of all, they are fun and easy to create.

Many of the commercial room deodorizers found on the market end up making us feel overpowered because they contain synthetic fragrances. While room sprays can be a delightful way to change the feel of a space, the wrong scent can make a room feel oppressive rather than cheerful. Medicinal-quality aromatherapy oils have the opposite effect. Rather than just covering up annoying odors, essential oils actually alter the energy of a room, giving us the healing benefits we’ve all come to love.

Aromatherapy sprays are a combination of pure essential oil and water, and in some instances, witch hazel. For supplies all you’ll need are spray bottles, spring water and essential oils. Because essential oils don’t like to be exposed to too much light, it’s best to pick cobalt blue, amber or some other dark-colored glass bottle for storage. When filling with water, try to use purified water to reduce the possibility of chemical contaminants, which might taint the scent of your spray or diminish the medicinal qualities of the oils. Finally, if you intend to keep your sprays for longer than two months, consider putting a small amount of witch hazel in the mix. Witch hazel is an extract from the North American shrub Hamamelis virginiana, and it is an excellent natural preservative when used with essential oils. Finally, you’re on to the fun part - the essential oils!

With so many aromatic oils to choose from, you can create an endless variety of sprays for your home, office or car. When considering which oils to buy, always seek the highest quality you can find. You will need to use less oil, and the healing benefits of the oil will increase exponentially if you choose a superior oil. Therapeutic-grade oils satisfy our senses in ways inferior oils simply cannot. Excellent oils make the mind feel bright and provide instantaneous changes in the body. This is because the body/mind connection is immediately felt with aromatic oils. That’s why we want to make the most of the oils we have and choose the best we can afford.

Any essential oil can be turned into a spray, but some are even better than others. The citrus oils, like mandarin, grapefruit, lemon, lime and tangerine, make great misters. Citrus oils give your environment an instant facelift, turning a tired room into a bright sanctuary. These pleasing oils can be mixed with sharp-smelling oils like eucalyptus, rosemary verbenone, myrtle or peppermint for a balanced blend. Just remember, citrus oils can cause skin reactions if they are exposed to sun, so keep these blends indoors.

Another popular group of oils for room sprays is the coniferous plants and trees. Juniper berry, balsam fir, spruce, black spruce, cedar and sandalwood are excellent choices for infusing a space with grounding aromas. These essential oils are simultaneously calming and uplifting, and they are especially pleasant during the winter months, when access to the outdoors is limited. Unlike fruit and flower scents, pines and woods imbue our environments with a subtle scent that, like incense, warms the space without overpowering our senses.

Now on to the production. When mixing ingredients, start with water. If you want to use witch hazel, mix the water and witch hazel in a 4 to 1 ratio. Next, place anywhere from 4 to 16 drops of essential oil in one ounce of liquid and shake. The blend will separate and needs to be shaken each time you use it. Any essential oil can be turned into a spray, but some oils are thicker than others (such as myrrh) and need to be thoroughly mixed before spraying.

When blending your own scents, start with a few drops and increase in number to make sure you enjoy the mix. Just remember that strong oils, like peppermint, black pepper or cinnamon, are intense once atomized. Only use a few drops of oil, and you should run no risk of irritating your nose, eyes or throat. Also, it’s usually a good idea to avoid essential oils that have been mixed with carrier oils. These mixtures may clog your spray bottle, as carrier oils do not evaporate the way essential oils do.

Children often love creating sprays. This simple activity can be a fun way of teaching children about natural health while providing exposure to scents they love. When creating spray blends for children, less essential oil is always best. Oils like lavender, Roman chamomile, rose and sandalwood are gentle enough for use with children, as are lemon tea tree and rosalina, oils with qualities similar to tea tree but having less sharp-smelling aromas. Children also respond well to vanilla’s calming scent. Finally, a delightful sleep aid for children and adults alike is 2 drops of lavender and 2 drops of Roman chamomile in one ounce of liquid. Spraying the oil in the corners of a room greatly aids sleep and relaxation. Just remember, NEVER spray a child’s face directly with essential oil products.

Don’t forget that these sprays can also be adapted for use as natural perfume or deodorant. Simply choose oils that are non-irritating to the skin and mix in the same way you would a room spray. A few delectable oils to consider: jasmine, rose, sandalwood, vetiver or neroli all make wonderful personal sprays. Just avoid spraying near the eyes or face. Also, any oil you’re using for therapeutic purposes can be diluted in a water/witch hazel mixture and applied as needed throughout the day. If you want your scents on the go, pocket- and purse-size misters are a great way to freshen up, calm down or revive in the middle of a long day.

Learning about essential oils is a fascinating and rewarding journey. With so many oils to choose from, you are bound to find a dozen oils and blends that work well as sprays, enabling you to change your environment in minutes. Atomizing essential oils in misters does not require much work, and the investment is low. If your blend is not what you’d hoped, you only expended a small amount. With an imagination and a few ingredients, you can begin to change your space immediately. Start your journey with sprays, and aromatherapy will become a part of daily nourishment.

About the Author:
The author has made available reports on specific anti-microbials such as geranium essential oil, and using essential oils.

by Ted Johnson

Perhaps you are among the numerous loyal aromatherapy fans who buy an endless supply of candles, sachets, and room fresheners. You likely have your favorite fragrances and uses for aromatherapy, but you may be surprised to learn that there are entire fields of aromatherapy you have yet to discover. We suggest you expand your aromatherapy horizons to include a new variety of vibrant, exhilarating fragrances. Here are some ideas to help you infuse aromatherapy throughout this day.

One easy way to carry the vivid smells of aromatherapy with you throughout your day is to spritz a few pages of your day planner with your favorite essential oil. You will need to dilute the oil to protect the paper in your planner. Every time you open your daily planner instead of stressing over your schedule, you will be met with a wave of relaxing aromatherapy. Try the same method with notepads and even memos. You will likely find yourself emboldened and inspired.

Another way of empowering yourself with aromatherapy is by applying your signature fragrance frequently. Place a few drops on your wrists and behind your ears. Pulse points are ideal places to drop your fragrance because when your pulse quickens, your skin heats up releasing a fresh wave of the fragrance. You will also be emboldened by spritzing your hair with your signature fragrance, allowing it to envelop your presence.

You can incorporate aromatherapy into your laundry routine by adding lemon and chamomile to the final rinse. You can also make your own dryer sheets infusing them with your favorite scent. Use an old sock or scrap of cloth and place a few drops of oil on it before you toss it in the dryer. Lemon and chamomile will keep your laundry smelling fresh, while lavender and chamomile will make your pillows and bed linens fragrant with relaxing aroma.

It is also a good idea to invest in a diffuser for your bathroom. Diffusers come in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors. You can also find fountain style diffusers. Large diffusers can be used as a focal point for a room and smaller diffusers can be used in the bedroom or on your desk.

Aromatherapy also allows you to give up your gnarly old gym towel and wet wipes. Create your own wipes using essential oils. When you extract or distill your own natural oils, save the hydrosols. Soak a few inexpensive terrycloth “bar towels” in your hydrosols; then, you can freeze them for use at a later time.

The ideas for implementing aromatherapy into your daily life are endless. The possibilities extend as far as your imagination and willingness to experiment with aromatherapy.

About the Author:
Looking for a complete guide to aromatherapy? Visit yourcompleteguidetoaromatherapy.info for more information and resources on essential oil recipes. Also, visit to learn about aromatherapy uses.

by Helen Jackson

Now that summer has officially arrived, nature is calling us outside. Whether our summer plans include baseball games and patio parties or strenuous hikes and rugged camping trips, we will certainly come into contact with one of the season’s more annoying features: insects. While our flying buddies certainly have their places in our ecosystems, mosquitoes, flies and ticks can be a real nuisance when it comes to lapping up the sunshine and warm breezes of summer. Luckily, we have an aromatherapy arsenal to ward off the most common bugs of the season.

For years the only insect repellent that was easy to come by was DEET, a powerful chemical that has been known to cause problems in children and pregnant women. Because DEET is so effective, and side-effects on adults are low or unknown, it is found in almost all mainstream insect repellents. Many consumers are wary of slathering this noxious-smelling chemical on their skin, however, knowing it will enter the blood stream and must be processed by the liver and other internal organs. If dealing with DEET doesn’t sound appealing this summer, get ready to learn about how essential oils can do the same job with none of the scary side effects.

To begin with, let’s consider a handful of the most powerful essential oils for warding off bugs. What’s the first one that comes to mind? Citronella, of course! This oil’s reputation truly precedes it. We’ve smelled it in patio candles and tiki torches, but the oil of this tropical grass can be mixed with other oils and applied to the skin as well. Its lemony smell rekindles memories of past summers, and insects detest it.

Citronella is not actually the best oil to use alone, however. Its power is magnified when it is combined with other essential oils, such as lemongrass, which it is related to, cedar wood, peppermint or geranium. Cedar wood, long-known for its ability to keep moths away from your wool sweaters, has a warm, pleasant scent that balances citronella’s astringent qualities. If you like the scent of peppermint, this affordable oil will also work beautifully with citronella and leave your environment smelling crisp and clean.

If you ask a gardener the number one plant to put in the garden to ward off flying insects, especially mosquitoes, the winner will most likely be the geranium. The geranium is tough, pretty and it smells great, but insects happen to dislike it. If you like the floral note of geranium, mix that with citronella. They are such perfect companions that a special species of plant, the citronella geranium, exists. Put that in your garden, and you can smell it from feet away!

Aromatic oils can be used to repel bugs in two applications: directly on the skin or diffused into the environment. If you are aiming to keep insects out of the air, say, around your patio table or on your back porch, consider buying a diffuser or nebulizer. These machines steadily disperse oils into the air, giving you constant protection from flying bugs. All you need to do is place one or more of the above oils in the diffuser and let it do its work. If you do not have a nebulizer, don’t despair. Just place twenty drops of your oil in a bottle, top it off with water, and spray the area.

Occasionally, especially if you’re traipsing around outdoors, a topical application of essential oils becomes important. This recipe, which combines the best oils listed above, can be mixed and then put in a sunscreen, mister or a lotion: 0.5 milliliters of both geranium and lemongrass, 0.75 milliliters of cedar, 1 milliliter of peppermint and 3 milliliters of citronella. If you want to use this blend on pre-teens, divide the concentration in half before placing in a carrier. Cut this blend in half once more and leave out the peppermint if you are using it on toddlers. For infants, use a 1% concentration of lemongrass and/or citronella alone. As with all essential oils, the skin should be tested prior to extensive use on the body. If your body responds well, enjoy! Also, adding witch hazel, a naturally-occurring preservative, adds a cooling quality to your misting blend.

Studies in pest management with essential oils are yielding a lot of exciting and surprising new information. While we may already be familiar with the more common insect-controlling oils, such as citronella and lemongrass, other oils are being investigated for their efficacy as well. A study conducted at Seoul National University suggested fennel essential oil might also be useful in deterring mosquitoes. This pleasant oil is not as harsh smelling as citronella or lemongrass and is easy to find. Another oil that does not readily come to mind as a mosquito repellent, but definitely shows promise, is clove. A group of researchers at Mahidol University in Thailand found that clove oil, when rubbed full-strength on the skin, provided 100% effectiveness against mosquito bites over a 2-4 hour time span. This same study found patchouli oil was a great repellent as well, giving two hours of protection when used undiluted.

One oil that comes out way ahead of the pack in terms of effectiveness in fighting insects is catnip. A recent study by the DuPont Company found that this plant, also known as catmint, is the best essential oil defense out there in the struggle with insects. If used in a 15% concentration in a carrier, catnip can fight insects for 4 to 8 hours. Research has even demonstrated that catnip beats DEET in its ability to ward off bugs. The punch line, though, is this: catnip oil is pricey. If you want to see it at work, try it in small doses and confirm that your insect neighbors hate it and that your calico doesn’t break open the bottle.

Most likely, summer will not pass without a single bite, no matter how hard you try to prevent them. When you discover you’ve got a bite the size of a dime on your foot, don’t be discouraged. Both blue tansy and lavender oils are famous for their anti-itch qualities. Lavender oil is gentle enough to put right on the skin, immediately reducing the urge to scratch. Blue tansy can be mixed in a 2% concentration in carrier oils or creams and rubbed into the offending bite. Unlike the salmon-colored calamine lotion of days past, lavender and blue tansy smell wonderful to most people.

This summer, expand your horizons. If you’re not a fan of citronella, mix it with an oil you love and enjoy the benefits of research into something as mundane, and important, as learning to live with insects. By combining what we’re learning about aromatherapy with the vast array of applications available, your summer has the potential to be relatively bug-free. And DEET-free as well. So make plans to be outdoors, grab your essential oils and keep singing the praises of summer.

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More information on essential oil news and updates is available through Ananda Aromatherapy - an online source for therapeutic grade essential oils.