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How Do I Use Essential Oils?by Paisley Hansen, Contributing Writer

For thousands of years people have been distilling the essential natural oils from herbs and using them for healing. This practice has evolved through history and many cures are hundreds of years old. As early as the 15th Century, oregano oil was used to treat vomiting, diarrhea, fungal infections and psoriasis. Many other oils date back as early. Only now is the scientific root of these cures being studied and verified through modern scientific techniques, as the use of these oils gains more and more popularity.

Aromatherapy a Modern Marvel

Smell is one of the most powerful of the senses. There is a strong relationship between our sense of smell and memory, thoughts and mood. Aromatherapy operates through this sense. Diffusing a few drops of oil from a specially made dispenser or through steam in water, creates an altered sense of mood or state of mind.

Many dispensers use a candle or electric heater to warm oil added to a small bowl or pad. Some heat a small pot of water to which a few drops of oil have been added. It is also possible to simply add a few drops of oil to a spray bottle and spritz the water about the room. The type of oil used depends on the effect desired.

Here are some examples of scents and their effects:
• Relaxation:        Chamomile, bergamot, cedarwood, sage
• Anti-anxiety:    Spruce, rosewood, lavender, frankincense
• Energizing:         Basil, cypress, grapefruit, ginger
• Concentration: Lemon, rosemary, peppermint, geranium

Each person will need to smell the oils they intend to use to test their personal impact. Essential oil scents can also be combined.

Topical Use of Oils

Choosing the method to apply the oil has largely to do with the desired effect. If treating a direct wound or bruise, it may be most appropriate to treat topically. There is also the issue that some oils are very strong and can be irritating to the skin. With this in mind it may be desirable to take several drops of the oil and dilute it with a mild carrier oil such as almond oil, then massage it into the skin directly at the wounded area.

Another method of topical application is at the pulse points. This is another method of aromatherapy application. One takes the scents desired and applies them at the wrists, temples, neck and other pulse points as needed. This is particularly helpful in illness and if one does not have a diffuser available.

If one is serious about following the study of essential natural oils, then it is worthwhile to purchase a handbook to study the many types of oils available and their uses. This is a vast field that includes herbs, flowers and tree essences as well as the art of combining the oils in many varied remedies. The possibilities are endless.

About Paisley Hansen

Paisley is an accomplished freelance writer from Salt Lake City, Utah. She is an expert in health and fitness.  When Paisley isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym