Essential oils have been used for centuries in aromatherapy, a type of complementary medicine that uses smell to improve health or is applied topically to the skin. From reducing stress and increasing attention to improving skin health, essential oils can have a positive impact on your health and well-being as long as you use them safely. But if your experience with essential oils has only been limited to inhaling the scent of a lavender sachet or getting an aromatherapy massage in a spa, how can you best use them? Inhaling essential oils is one of the most popular ways to use them, not only because it is very effective but also exceptionally versatile. To inhale essential oils while you shower, add a few drops to the walls of the shower and inhale deeply as you shower.
Or add a few drops of diluted essential oil to a warm wipe that can be used for inhalation and to gently exfoliate your body. You can also add 2 to 4 drops of an essential oil to a cotton ball or Kleenex and place it in a bowl in areas where you want to disperse the scent and scent of a room. Steam inhalation with essential oils is especially useful for treating symptoms of the common cold and flu, and is a perfect way to eliminate sinus and allergy problems. Simply add about 6 to 15 drops of essential oil (reduce by half if you have sensitive skin) to an ounce of unscented face or body lotion, mix well and apply to skin.
You not only enjoy the skin-healing benefits of essential oil, but also the revitalizing and detoxifying effects of the massage itself. You can apply lavender essential oil to your temples and wrists before bedtime, or even add a little to your bathroom to create a relaxing environment. However, it is important to note that most essential oils cannot be applied directly to the skin without diluting them beforehand. If you're steaming to help your skin, you can add more water (about 4 to 6 cups total), as essential oils are exceptionally potent. The results of laboratory studies are promising.
One Johns Hopkins study found that certain essential oils could kill one type of Lyme bacteria better than antibiotics, but the results of clinical trials in humans are mixed. If a label does not clearly state that it is an “essential oil”, then it is not a pure oil and should not be used as suggested. From your first bottle of lavender essential oil to a combination of seven oils in your diffuser, learning how to use essential oils is a process.
