| Aromatherapy is a wonderful way to brighten the | | | | you may want to pursue aromatherapy in the future, |
| atmosphere of your home this holiday season. Many | | | | you may consider investing in a nebulizer-style |
| common, inexpensive oils can be used to bring a | | | | diffuser, as they generally have a more broad range |
| feeling of cheer, warmth and comfort with these | | | | of therapeutic possibilities. |
| simple-to-use techniques. | | | | And now for the fun part - the essential oils. There |
| This time of year, we're often on the lookout for | | | | are SO many to choose from, and you may start by |
| those extra touches that can make the season | | | | just browsing sites on the internet which will often |
| special. The unique decorations, flowers, wreaths, and | | | | have listings of over a hundred oils available. An |
| candles all add a little something to our lives and the | | | | excellent place to start is with the truly 'seasonal' |
| lives of our family. How far we go in creating the | | | | evergreen aromas. Perhaps the most popular are the |
| right space can have a significant impact on the | | | | 'needle' oils, distilled from the needles and twigs of |
| overall enjoyment and shared gratitude of our loved | | | | evergreen trees. One of the many species of Fir |
| ones. So what little something could you use this | | | | may be tbe most often used, as their aromas are at |
| year that's simple, inexpensive and would go a long | | | | once warm, complex and inviting. Black Spruce is |
| way to creating a special space? Real aromatherapy | | | | another favorite, much for the same reason - their |
| using pure essential oils is a wonderful way to do it | | | | sweetness is quite uplifting, and their complexity |
| that might just have the side effect of promoting | | | | keeps us interested. Juniper berry, while not strictly a |
| your family's health and wellness, too. | | | | 'needle' oil is also wonderfully bright and uplifting. While |
| Folks have used essential oils and natural aromatics to | | | | some find it a bit strong on its own, it blends very |
| brighten their surroundings and lift their moods for | | | | well with other essential oils distilled from evergreens. |
| many, many years. And over the last decade, | | | | If you're wishing to bring a little more exotic scents |
| scientific studies have shown the simple inhalation of | | | | into your home, the oils of Frankincense, Myrrh and |
| essential oils to have measurable positive effects on | | | | Sandalwood are perfect choices - aromas that have |
| our health. Like you'd expect from the happy and | | | | been used extensively for both their psychological |
| calm feelings they can bring about, essential oils have | | | | and physiological health benefits for ages. These tend |
| been noted to lower blood pressure, decrease stress | | | | to be more earthy and grounding than the evergreen |
| hormone levels and improve the quality of rest. The | | | | oils, perhaps a little more calming - exactly what |
| use of essential oils as anti-depressants is on the rise, | | | | many homes are in need of right about now. |
| as more people are using nature's pure perfumes to | | | | Frankincense is both bright and earthy at the same |
| bring smiles to their faces. There may be no better | | | | time, with its citrus and woody notes. Myrrh is more |
| time to use these wonderful natural tools in your | | | | hypnotic and mysterious, useful in small amounts. |
| own home. | | | | Sandalwood is a classic favorite with both sweet and |
| Getting started with aromatherapy is a very simple | | | | woody notes, with lovely varieties coming from India, |
| process - you'll need just a bottle of essential oil | | | | Australia and the South Pacific. These oils can be |
| (single or blended - we'll get to some suggestions in a | | | | blended together, or added in small amounts to one |
| moment) and a means to diffuse the aroma into | | | | or more of the evergreen oils for a pleasant |
| your living space. There's often an incredible variety | | | | combination. |
| of aromas from which to chose, even at your local | | | | If you really want to get creative, there are many |
| market, and even more so via mail-order. Essential oil | | | | brilliant aromatics from which to choose. Lavender is |
| diffusers are often found at the same stores, with a | | | | well-known for its calming scent; citrus oils like |
| wide selection of prices and style to suit your needs. | | | | Bergamot, Orange and Grapefruit are lively can easily |
| Diffusing essential oils, which really means evaporating | | | | brighten your space. Spice oils can be added to |
| them from their oil state into the air around you, can | | | | blends or used on their own in small amounts (they |
| be done in a number of ways. The least complex of | | | | can be potent, and should be used cautiously)...these |
| all might be making your own potpourri, adding | | | | include Cinnamon, Clove, Peppermint, Cardamom and |
| several drops of oils to the bowl or basket. Other | | | | the like. If you're not familiar with blending, try using |
| folks add a few drops of oil to pinecones and place | | | | these oils singly, or in combinations of two or three |
| them about the house. Using this diffusion method, | | | | at most. Or get enough to make small batches to |
| you may want to mix a small amount of a vegetable | | | | test your formula, then a just as your nose desires. |
| oil with the essential oil, as to slow the oil's | | | | Just a little essential oil can bring a new kind of cheer |
| evaporation rate, and lengthen the time you'll be | | | | to you and your family this season. One small bottle |
| enjoying the aromas. Basic electric units are available | | | | is often enough to scent your home for several days |
| which perform a similar task. A little more complex | | | | - more potent oils will last even longer. A little pure |
| and professional are the ultrasonic humidifying | | | | essential oil goes a long way; it's always better to |
| nebulizers - essentially a small humidifyer which makes | | | | get a little hint of aroma than to be overwhelmed by |
| a mist of both oil and water. Then there are the | | | | it, so start slowly if this is your first time. The |
| high-end units of nebulizing diffusers which make a | | | | effects of aromatherapy may surprise you; maybe |
| mist of the essential oils to get higher concentrations | | | | enough to get you hooked and keep you smiling |
| into larger areas. ANY of these will work for making | | | | through the rest of the winter. |
| your home smell lovely for the holidays; if you think | | | | |