The uses of essential oils were known to ancient Egyptians long before research began on their medicinal and aromatic qualities in the early nineteenth century. The sweet fragrance emitted by essential oils has had people going crazy on it for ages.
An essential oil is the extract of plant derived from flowers, stem, leaves, bark and other parts of a plant. The process is often complex and requires distillation through steam or water of the plant. The result is the pure essence of the plant, often in a highly concentrated form. In the following article I will list some of the common uses that essential oils are put to.
Diffusion
Diffusion means breathing the fragrance of essential oil. The oil is evaporated using accessories such as electric diffusers, lamp rings, aromalamps, scentballs etc. These accessories are available in various assortments in the market. They operate by continuously shooting out microscopic particles of essential oils into the air. To facilitate easy assimilation through the sense of smell, the oil is broken into fine invisible mist. [bctt tweet=”Diffusion helps create a relaxing atmosphere and loosens tight muscles.”]
There are various types of diffusers on the market, with different advantages and disadvantages.
Candle diffusers
Usually a heat resistant vessel for water and essential oils, and a heat resistant platform that holds the vessel over a small candle.
Advantages: very simple to use; provides light background fragrancing
Disadvantages: does not produce strong concentration for therapeutic benefits.
Electric heat diffusers
Small absorbent pads are placed inside of a heating chamber with ventilation that allows the aromatic compounds to evaporate into the surrounding air.
Advantages: easy to use; minimal maintenance; can diffuse thicker oils.
Disadvantages: heat damages some aromatic compounds.
Cool air nebulizing diffusers
A system that uses air pressure generated by a compressing unit to vaporize the essential oils. A glass nebulizing bulb serves as a condenser, allowing only the finest particles of the essential oil to escape into the air.
Advantages: strong diffusion maximizes therapeutic benefits in respiratory conditions.
Disadvantages: diffusers need to be cleaned regularly. More viscous oils cannot be diffused (such as sandalwood oil or ylang ylang oil).
Massage
The therapeutic effects of essential oil when combined with the magical powers of touch, revives the anatomy and furthers overall well-being. When using essential oil for the purpose of massage, it is advisable that it be diluted with carrier oil. It is too concentrated to be used neat. Different proportions need to be devised for people of different ages, skin types, etc. For children, the advisable content of essential oils per ounce is 6 drops.
Pure essential oils are about 70 times more concentrated than the whole plant. Dilutions are typically 2% – 10%. For adults, a 2.5% dilution is recommended for most purposes. For children under 12, 1% is generally safe. A 2.5% blend for a 1 ounce bottle of carrier oil is 15 drops of essential oil.
1% blend = 6 drops per oz
2% blend = 12 drops per oz
3% blend = 18 drops per oz
5% blend = 30 drops per oz
10% blend = 60 drops per oz
Baths
An essential oil bath can be quite relaxing. Moreover, this will help in combining the benefits of hydrotherapy as well. Just add a few drops of your desired essential oil to your bathtub or spa, and get that rich and nourishing feeling. Alternatively, the essential oil mixed with good carrier oil be applied to ones skin after the morning shower for that all day long refreshing sensation. This keeps skin soft, smooth and youthful.
A generally safe dose is 5 – 10 drops, mixed with 1/2 to 1 cup of salt or emulsifier. Aromatic baths are excellent for skin problems, circulatory problems, respiratory symptoms, stress and nervous tension, insomnia, muscular and menstrual pains. Caution: overuse of essential oils in the bath can cause irritation.
Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is another prevalent method of using essential oils. 5 to 8 drops of essential oil of one variety or more is mixed in a pot of hot water, and the user sits with his face close to the pot, eyes closed and about 10-12 inches above the pot. As vapour rises, it gets absorbed by the minute pores on ones face and through the nostrils. A humidifier too can be used by adding a few drops of essential oil in it.
**Steam inhalations are usually not recommended for asthma sufferers, although I have had asthma my entire life and it does wonders for me. Just use caution please. The same goes for hayfever and other similar allergies. If you are worried about an adverse reaction, start with a very small amount of time, just half a minute.
Household uses
You may not know but the essential oils can be put to several household uses as well. Like when one is doing laundry, a few drops of essential oil will give the clothes a lovable smell all day long. Lemon or tea tree oils are best used for ones garbage cans from giving that stinking smell. Lavender has long been associated with romantic evenings. So, use it in your bathroom along with essential oils of chamomile and marjoram.
I found some great recipes on doTERRA Blog that I have been using and just LOVE. This post will lead you to the All Purpose Disinfecting Spray Cleaner, and then quite a few more at the bottom of the article such as:
Mattress Cleaner
Dryer Sheets
Air Freshener
Mouthwash
Window Cleaner
The uses of essential oils are many. You can experiment on your own to find new uses of the oils and thereby making oil remedies that are truly unique, just for you and your family!
This article may be hopping around the following Blog Hops: (mis)Adventures Mondays Blog Hop, The HomeAcre Hop, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Homestead Blog Hop, From the Farm Fridays, Simple Saturdays Blog Hop, Simple Life Sunday Blog Hop.
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