Aromatherapy FAQ

Aromatherapy is a part of a holistic, natural approach to body, mind and spirit health. It involves the use of essential oils, in a controlled way. Aromatherapy with essential oils can provide drug-free healing and stress relief through massage/body oil, lotions and face creams, baths, steams and spritzers. Essential oils may provide an alternative If you’re worried about the safety and side effects of pharmaceuticals and household or environmental chemicals.

Essential oils are not cooking oils like olive oil, canola oil, or sesame oil. These are called fixed or base oils. They are different from essential oils. They feel oily to the touch and when they are exposed to air, they become rancid and do not evaporate. By contrast, essential oils are not oils, they do not leave an oily residue, they do not become rancid, and they evaporate readily. Essential oils are a volatile substance obtained from botanical raw material by either steam distillation or by cold pressing.

Essential Oils:

• Have the ability to diffuse freely into the atmosphere
• Are easily vaporized at low temperatures
• Are absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin and mucus membranes in the nose
• Are considered to be the spirit or life force of the plant and this is why the term “spirits” is used to describe alcoholic beverages such as brandy and whiskey

Essential oils come from all parts of the plant

• The fruit rind gives us the citrus essential oils such as Bergamot or Sweet Orange
• The flowering tops produce such essential oil as Chamomile or Lavender
• Leaves give us essential oils like Eucalyptus or Geranium
• Grasses give us oils like Lemongrass
• Resin produces some favorite essential oils like Myrrh or Opoponax
• Wood gives us Sandalwood
• Needles, twigs and cones give us the Pines, Spruces, and Fir essential oils
• The rhizome is where Spikenard comes from
• Berries give us such oils as Juniper
• Seeds give us oils like Fennel
• Bulbs are where we get Garlic essential oil
• The nut gives us essential oil of Nutmeg
• Even the root of the grass gives us one of my favorite essential oils, Vetiver!

Aromatherapy with Massage/Body Oils can help:

Stress and anxiety
Headaches and migraines
Insomnia
Pain relief
Muscular and joint aches and pains
Reduce inflammation
Relieve muscle spasms
And much more!

Aromatherapy with Facial Creams and Lotions can help:

Wound healing
Aging skin
Scar reduction
Detoxification of skin
Increase circulation
Tone of skin
Hydration of skin
Emotional issues

Aromatherapy with Baths can help:

Reduce stress and anxiety
Relieve muscle aches, pain and tension
Alleviate mental or physical fatigue
Stimulate circulation
Detox

Aromatherapy with Steam Inhalation can help:

Colds and flu
Sinus
Respiratory issues

Aromatherapy with Room and Linen Spritzers can help:

Freshen rooms, provide an alternative to air freshener
Breathe easier
Soothe emotional stress

Diffusers can help:

Room ambiance
Reduce stress or anxiety
Peaceful sleep
Increase alertness
Improve air quality
Reduce pathogens in air

With the help of a trained aromatherapist, essential oils can be used or custom blended in several ways to provide healing and relief:

Massage/Body Oil

Combine your favorite (vegetable or herbal) oil and essential oils.

Facial Creams and Lotions

Purchase unscented cream or lotion and add your own essential.

Baths

Add 2 to 12 drops (depending on the essential oil) to a bit of honey, whole milk, vegetable oil, sea salt, Epsom salts (or a combination of) to a tub full of water.

Steam Inhalation

Put 3-7 drops of essential oil in a bowl of boiling water.

Room, Linen and Body Spritzers

Put 10-15 drops of essential oil in an ounce of water. Shake well and spritz!

Remember, safety is always important!

Interested in learning more? Check out my Aromatherapy Classes.