|
Healing
ourselves begins with insight into the source of our distress or
challenge. As we look closely at our lives and what is causing the
disturbance, we discover this is the first step to healing ourselves,
and at the same time, to developing our inner wisdom. Thus, we become
even more clear that we are our own healers. Essential
oils give us what our bodies need. Study the characteristics of each
individual oil so that you get to know it, just like you would become
acquainted with a dear friend. A great way to do this is to take a new
oil each day, dilute it, and apply 1 or 2 drops to a pulse point on
your body, such as on the inside of your wrist. Inhale its fragrance
deeply, read over its qualities, and throughout the day, take in the
aroma and remind yourself of its gifts. Browse
with your nose — use your sense of smell to guide you in the
selection process each time you choose your oils, since it is
intrinsically linked to your intuition. There are no set guidelines on
having to blend this or that — simply choose 3 oils to create your
blend. The experiment begins as you dispense the drops into a bath,
base oil, or vaporizer. How
Many Drops Should You Use? Essential
oils are concentrated substances and should always be used with a
gentle hand. For general home use, a combination of 3 essential oils;
8 drops to a bath or vaporizer; or 3 drops to a massage blend is
recommended until you have a better understanding of the oils and how
to work with them. It’s okay to use more drops with the guiding hand
of an aromatherapist, or if you have experience with essential oils. It’s
important to take note of an oil’s toxicity levels (see Safety
Information in the A-Z rundown of essential oils), and even more
important, to know which oils can be used during pregnancy. If
you’ve never used essential oils before and you’re pregnant,
it’s recommended you wait until after the birth of your child before
you start using them. Additionally, people with sensitive skin should
take extra care when using all essential oils. As
with any healing modality, you must have an understanding of your
working tools before you can embark on treatment or healing. This
knowledge increases, of course, as you form your own special
relationship with the oils. As you experiment, you may find that some
oils are not for you. Others may have an euphoric effect. You are
usually the best judge of what works and this book has been written to
provide you with the necessary knowledge to get started. As
a final cautionary note, it’s important to take care when using
citrus oils. Don’t use them on the skin if you’re going to be in
direct sunlight, and be careful about how many drops you use in a
bath. If you have sensitive skin, you may find that you don’t want
to use citrus oils while bathing. With
knowledge of what essential oils can do, and with intuition about how
they can work for you personally, you can cultivate a nurturing and
healing relationship with Mother Nature’s healing aromas. Ways
to Use Essential Oils Since
essential oils are highly concentrated, they must be diluted before
used and not applied directly on the skin. You can use them in any of
the following ways: In
a bath:
Hopping into a warm bath at the end of a long day is one of life’s
most blissful moments. Add 5 to 8 drops of a blend of 3 oils before
you climb into the bath. Agitate the water. Submerge your body to
prepare yourself for the night ahead — whether you’re staying at
home for a quiet and relaxing time, going to a party, or spending a
romantic evening with your lover. You can also use essential oils in
the morning to invigorate and refresh you for the day ahead. In
a vaporizer: You
can use a vaporizer at home or work to uplift or relax you. Vaporizers
are used to fill the atmosphere with essential oils. Add 8 drops in
total of your chosen combination of oils to the shallow dish filled
with water at the top of the unit. Underneath, light a candle to heat
the water and scent the air with healing vapors. You can choose oils
to freshen the air, to assist with breathing, to aid concentration, or
during a romantic interlude. Massage:
Massage
is already a popular and highly respected way of loving and healing
the body. Combine this with the use of essential oils, and you have a
recipe for divine relaxation. A massage oil is a combination of
essential oils added to a base oil — see Base Oils for more
information. You can use massage oils to promote circulation,
stimulate the release of toxins from the body, or uplift the senses
— the list is endless. To every 10 milliliters (ml) of base oil, add
5 drops of essential oil (a 2:1 ratio). Body
rub:
You can begin every day with energy and vitality by indulging in a two
minute body rub after your shower. When the body is warm, it absorbs
oil quickly. Choose 3 essential oils to add to your base oil, and
blend in a small bowl. Smooth the oil over the entire body to
stimulate circulation and protect you during the day to come. Inhalation:
To help balance physical disorders and release emotions, you can
inhale oils directly by adding 3 to 5 drops to a stainless steel or
glass bowl filled with boiling water. Add the drops of essential oils
to the water (agitate to release vapors), place a towel over your
head, and breathe deeply. For maximum benefit, keep your head over the
bowl for 10 minutes. Remember to protect the sensitive eye area. Compresses:
Use a compress for facial skin care — it’s useful for softening
the skin and promoting cell regeneration — or for first aid to help
relieve pain and swelling and reduce inflammation. Hot compresses are
generally used to alleviate chronic pain, while cold compresses are
ideal for acute pain and injury. To
make your compress, add 5 drops in total of your chosen 3 essential
oils to a basin of hot or cold water. Fold a piece of gauze or a small
towel, and soak it in the water. Squeeze out the excess water from the
cloth, and apply it to the skin after the cloth has absorbed as much
of the oil as possible from the surface of the water. Spritzer:
Ideal for summer, a spritzer hydrates and re-energizes the skin. This
is a bottle with a nozzle that sprays water in a mist-like form. You
can also use a spritzer to apply essential oils to wounds or burns.
Using 90 ml of water, add 5 drops of a combination of 3 essential oils
to a spritzer bottle. Lifestyle
Tips Essential
oils have many applications for mind, body, and spirit. You can use
them in all areas of your life to promote general well-being and to
enhance the quality of any experience. The
Spirit — To Fortify The Spirit… Black
Pepper —
Black Pepper is an oil for strength. With daily massage, it can dispel
past anxieties and fortify a sense of confidence and adequacy. Combine
with Lime and Cinnamon to encourage confidence in your own strength in
face of dire circumstances. Dill
— In ancient times, gladiators would rub their bodies with this
pungently aromatic oil. It is a symbol of the healing spirit and the
possibility of moving on. For those who like life to be balanced and
controlled, and who feel knocked around when confronted with natural
highs and lows of life, Dill combined with Clary Sage and Geranium
will establish an equilibrium. Dill assists you in staying true to
your intentions. The
Body — Morning Kick Start… Pine
— Pine with Lemon and Cardamom stimulates circulation and mobilizes
the body’s cleansing system, providing a new level of energy and
vitality to get you going. Body brushing with an aromatic wash in the
shower eliminates toxins. Fill a small bottle with warm water, add 3
drops of your blend, sprinkle over your body, and brush in a circular
motion. Rosemary
— Inhale Rosemary from a tissue prepared with a few drops of oil;
this sharpens the mind and brings the senses alive so that they are
fully engaged during the day. Use a body brush in the shower, and
finish off with a Rosemary rinse to get the circulation going. A great
way to wake up small children is to place a Rosemary tissue under
their nose and gently shake their body all over to bring consciousness
to their muscles. For
Travel — Flying Caraway
— Caraway is very good for those who travel frequently, as well as
those who are fearful of heights, as it is said to diminish vertigo.
In combination with Frankincense and Palmarosa, it allays fears and
acts as an effective skin regenerator. This is particularly helpful
when you’re traveling. Add 2 drops of each essential oil to a glass
spritzer bottle filled with water, and spritz your face regularly
before and during the flight. Ginger
—
With its warming, digestive function and balancing effect, Ginger is
an excellent travel companion for those who suffer from travel
sickness. In conjunction with Orange and Roman Chamomile, it should be
massaged onto the abdominal area, especially if eating and sitting for
long periods. It acts as a preventive measure. If nausea persists,
inhale Peppermint. In
the Home — For dining Caraway
— Place a few drops of Caraway along with Ginger and Lime in your
vaporizer before the guests arrive. This will create a calm atmosphere
ready for sumptuous dining. These stimulating oils will get the
digestive juices flowing. In
the family room In
the cold of winter, dispense several drops of Pine and Sandalwood onto
the logs of the open fire. The relaxing qualities of Sandalwood with
the refreshing aroma of Pine will enhance your quality time with
friends and family. Lavender
—
A few drops of Lavender, along with Orange and Palmarosa in your
vaporizer, can stir your senses. As you let go of the troubles of the
day, this comforting ambiance restores and calms. At
the Gym Sage
— Smelly shoes and sweaty feet can be refreshed with Sage, Lime, and
Cypress. Spritz feet by adding 3 drops of each oil to a small spritzer
bottle filled with water. Eucalyptus
— Eucalyptus oxygenates your body quickly, and revives your focus.
Blend with Black Pepper and Lemongrass in Jojoba for endurance and
performance. Rub your body down with the oils before and after
training. At
the Office Fennel
—
Use Fennel for new possibilities in board meetings. Combine with
Grapefruit for spontaneity and Basil for focus. Fennel and Basil make
an excellent blend when you want to promote communication and
implement new ideas. For
learning and concentration Bay
— Bay, with Rosemary and Lime, reactivates the mind, expands
awareness, and opens up new learning opportunities. Pine
— Pine, with Eucalyptus and Hyssop, improves concentration as it
oxygenates the body. Stimulating alertness, these oils work especially
well in air-conditioned environments that feel stuffy and congested. Peppermint
—
Peppermint is useful when preparing for study, especially after lunch
when mid-afternoon lethargy can kick in. Instead of coffee or a
chocolate bar, fill your desk vaporizer with the stimulating digestive
aid that sharpens the senses, engages the mind, and helps you
“digest” information. Blend with Lime and Black Pepper. Lemon
—
Use lemon for clear communication. Blend with Tea Tree to use as a
disinfectant. A couple of drops wiped over the mouthpiece of the
telephone can protect you from viruses and bacteria. Lavender
— A drop of Lavender placed on the pulse points allays frustrations
and calms the mind. When the going gets tough and it all seems like a
little too much, take yourself into nature by inhaling Lavender. Grapefruit
—
Grapefruit is particularly valued when you’re feeling tense and
overburdened, with too much to do. It helps stimulate spontaneity and
creativity, and in combination with Bay and Rosemary, it makes an
excellent blend for high performance in professional environments.
Fill a cup with very hot water, dispense your drops into the cup and
inhale deeply. For
Women Geranium
—
Geranium nourishes the feminine qualities and instills a sense of
assuredness and stability. Geranium quells anxiety and allows for
greater intimacy to be expressed in relationships. Used in a bath with
Lavender and Cedarwood, it activates balance, stability and comfort.
This blend has regenerating qualities and addresses discontent and
over sensitivity. During
menopause Clary
Sage
— With maturity, you move to an inner knowing and wisdom. This oil
helps transform your knowledge into wisdom, and turn everyday tasks
into mindful practices. Clary Sage is known to be the most euphoric of
all essential oils. When self-doubt undermines your inner knowing,
choose this oil to reconnect with your wisdom. This oil brings about
comfort in times of confrontation and grief. Clary
Sage helps release fear and opens up the possibility for insight that
is available to women during menopause. Combine with Geranium and
Frankincense for best results. Jasmine
— Jasmine brings balance to hormonal changes or disruptions; and
regularity during times of upheaval such as adolescence, menopause,
menstruation, and postoperative care. When combined with Lavender and
Geranium, it inspires balance, and provides you with the opportunity
to get back in touch with your inner source of creativity. Menstruation Cypress
— Cypress helps balance the flow of blood and energy in the entire
reproductive area. Use in conjunction with Basil and Roman Chamomile
as a tonic to strengthen and balance the energy and vitality of your
inner strength. For
Men Bergamot
— Bergamot with Lavender can be used as an aftershave blend, or for
use on sensitive skin. Add a cup of water along with Cedarwood and Tea
Tree for use as an aftershave splash. Men with sensitive skin can add
a combination of Lavender, Bergamot and Sandalwood oils to a massage
base oil. Rosemary
—
Rosemary added to Cedarwood and Juniper oils stimulates hair growth.
Add to a base oil, and massage into your hair and scalp. For
Children Sandalwood
— Sandalwood, Cypress and Lemon help protect and stabilize when a
young one feels sensitive and emotionally vulnerable. A few drops on a
cotton ball placed inside their pillow does the trick. Roman
Chamomile
— Roman Chamomile and Lavender soothe an aching tummy and also quell
the emotions. Dispense 3 drops of each oil into a warm bath, or on a
compress cloth. Let
your children choose their own favorite oils. They will develop their
intuition when they are left to be guided by their sense of smell.
Some favorites are: Orange, Lavender, Chamomile, Sandalwood, Geranium
and Mandarin. Base
Oils For
a massage or body rub blend, add essential oils to one of the
following base oils. Remember to keep your base oil blends in glass
containers. Also, vegetable oils will become rancid after a while, so
use them within six to eight months. Macadamia and Joboba oils can
last for several years. Joboba
— Jojoba oil is high in protein and minerals, and is a natural wax
fluid. This oil rejuvenates and nourishes skin and hair. Peach
Kernel
— Peach Kernel oil is high in vitamin A and helps promote a rosy
complexion. As a massage oil base, it moisturizes and softens the
skin. Olive
— Olive oil is rich in proteins and vitamins and brings warmth to
the body as a massage base oil. It is particularly beneficial as a
body rub during winter. Sweet
Almond —
Sweet Almond oil is light and perfect for massage. Place a few drops
on your body and your hands will glide effortlessly over your skin for
a soothing massage. Wheat
Germ —
Wheat Germ oil is high in vitamin E; as such it is great for the skin,
especially skin that’s scarred. As an antioxidant, Wheat Germ also
extends the life span of your essential oils by preventing oxidation. |
In
ancient Tibet, ignorance was considered the primary source of all
suffering. Aromatherapy awakens our senses and connects us deeply with
nature and with the inner message of self-regeneration that is
inherent in the plants. As we expand our awareness of what essential
oils can do, we deepen our trust in our intuition, which will guide us
to the right oils at the right time.