Tips for Aromatherapy Noobs
The wide world of essential oils and aromatherapy can be confusing at times. Mainstream companies try to cash-in on the increasing popularity and offer products that just don't measure up in an effort to make a buck (shame on them). Here are some noobie tips on choosing and using essential oils:
- Dark Glass Container: Always make sure your oils are in a dark glass container. If the container is clear or plastic, it's either not a pure essential oil, or the company has no idea how to store pure essential oils and it's likely worthless anyway.
- Key Words to Avoid: Avoid oils that say "fragrance" or "perfume". These are artificially scented oils that will be of no benefit to you other than to smell pretty.
- Keep Oils Out of the Reach of Children: These oils can be harmful if ingested, and you know cute little fingers can't help exploring when there's something there to open!
- Dilute! Never use undiluted oils on your skin. These are highly potent oils - dilute with high quality skin care oils such as sweet almond or grape seed.
Do you want to start the new year off relaxed? Here's a great foot soak recipe from Aura Cacia:
Fill a large bowl with hot water and add 10 drops of oil:
- Aching feet? Try 4 drops chamomile, 4 drops lavender, 2 drops peppermint.
- Need warm feet? Try 5 drops rosemary, 3 drops clove bud and 2 drops ginger.
- Need cool feet? Try 6 drops peppermint, 3 drops lemon and 1 drop rosemary.
2 comments:
I'd like to add some tips.
1. Look for the Latin botanical name. Latin names mean you can identify the exact plant from which the oil has been extracted. For instance, there are many types of eucalyptus or lavender and each has a slightly different chemistry and action.
2. Good quality oils won’t be cheap. Be cautious of ranges where expensive oils such as clary sage and ylang ylang are priced at the same rate as inexpensive oils such as lemon or eucalyptus globulus.
3. Responsible suppliers of essential oils will give clear safety warnings and guidelines on how the oil should be used. A batch number means that the oil can be traced back to source and they will belong to a reputable trade association.
Thanks for the additional tips, Borzack. Great info!
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