| Aromatherapy is a method of using the aromatic oils | | | | Another way that aromatherapy oils can be used is |
| which have been distilled from plant sources to | | | | to act as an insect repellent. We are all familiar with |
| engender a feeling of well being both physically and | | | | the use of citronella in candles. I find these excellent |
| psychologically. Safe and correct use has been shown | | | | as a way of keeping bugs at bay. |
| to benefit the physical and mental well being. | | | | Aromatherapy oils can also be blended together and |
| There are many aromatherapy oils which are used in | | | | this can be done with a carrier base but not always. |
| the art of aromatherapy and these are too lengthy | | | | Combination oils can have even more benefits in |
| to list here. However, there are many benefits to be | | | | aromatherapy as they then offer a combination of |
| had from aromatherapy oils but you need to | | | | uses. The Internet has many sites where you will be |
| understand that there can be some drawbacks for | | | | able to find recipes for blending together different oils |
| use in aromatherapy although many people say there | | | | with their uses listed as well. |
| are greater benefits. | | | | The term aromatherapy is a fairly recent phrase first |
| There are two ways in which essential oils are used | | | | thought to have been used in the 20th century but |
| in aromatherapy. These are by inhalation and by | | | | the practice of aromatherapy has been around for |
| application to your skin. | | | | well over 1000 years. |
| Inhaling aromatherapy oils is where the vapor given | | | | The Egyptians are thought to have developed a way |
| off by the oil is inhaled into the lungs. This is thought | | | | of distilling oil from cedar wood and the Chinese have |
| to incite the brain and cause it to trigger a reaction | | | | used plant and herbal incense from a very long time |
| to the oil. It is also thought that there is a physical | | | | which they burned to give a feeling of well being. |
| well being by breathing the vapors directly into the | | | | René-Maurice Gattefossé, A |
| lungs. Remember that safety is of the utmost | | | | Frenchman, is first thought to have used the term |
| importance and always follow the manufacturer's | | | | aromatherapy after he supposedly treated a nasty |
| instructions as otherwise a reaction, possibly very | | | | burn with the nearest liquid to hand which turned out |
| severe can take place. It is important to remember | | | | to be oil distilled from lavender. This wound healed |
| to consult a trained specialist before using | | | | quickly and it left no scaring. This started his in-depth |
| aromatherapy oils. | | | | research into essential oils. |
| The other method of using aromatherapy oils in is by | | | | We are now becoming more aware of natural |
| application to the skin. It is thought that when oil is | | | | products after we have relied on synthetic drugs for |
| applied to the skin it is absorbed into the blood | | | | many years and aromatherapy is growing in |
| stream and is useful for many health, beauty and | | | | popularity. Most of us prefer to use natural products, |
| hygiene conditions. Again, I must stress the safety | | | | such as aromatherapy oils, to sooth and heal our |
| aspect as aromatherapy oils are usually very strong | | | | minds and bodies. Gattefossé would have |
| and it is important that they are always diluted | | | | said, Long Live Aromatherapy, but he would have |
| before you use them. To dilute them a carrier oil is | | | | said it in his native French. Using essential oils for |
| needed and these are oils such as grape seed oil, | | | | aromatherapy is natural and is an excellent way to |
| sweet almond oil and apricot kernel oil. | | | | help calm and sooth our troubled 21st century lives. |