Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils, is used to provide a balance in body and mind, prevent and fight infections, and promote a sense of well-being. Essential oils are derived by extracting base oil from plants through distillation. The history of Aromatherapy stretches back hundreds of years and includes a many diverse cultures. Plants and their essential oils have powerful effects on our lives.



There are many different ways to use essential oils in aromatherapy, and you must be careful to follow all guidelines when using them. Many people are surprised to find that certain essential oils can actually be harmful when used inappropriately. For example, it is not recommended to use certain oils directly on the skin; they must be diluted with the use of a carrier oil.

One of the most popular ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine is through the use of creams or soaps. There are many companies that offer blends of essential oils in base creams, each with a different purpose in mind. You can find blends made to energize, relax, or revitalize. You can easily make these creams yourself through the use of an unscented cream and by adding essential oils that compliment each other. This may take some experimenting, but you can come up with some wonderful combinations.

Inhalations are another popular method of aromatherapy. This method is especially useful with essential oils that help to fight infections. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to place several drops of a particular oil, such as tea tree oil, into a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam that comes off the water. It is very important to not use too much of each essential oil. Start off with only a couple drops, some people find certain oils very overpowering. You can also use essential oils in a diffuser. While the effects may not be as powerful as direct inhalations, the effects of certain blends can be very calming and leave a pleasant scent in your home.

Be cautious when experimenting with essential oils: many of the oils are not recommended to be used with children or animals. Always check the properties of an essential oil before using it on or around a child, even if you are just using a diffuser for the oil. Check with a pediatrician before using essential oils on a child directly. Many animals have an extremely strong sense of smell, particularly to essential oils. Overusing essential oils can cause damage in the livers of pets. If you have animals in your home, limit your use of essential oils to a diffuser or in combination with lotions and creams. Check with a veterinarian before using any essential oil with a pet.

Aromatherapy is a wonderful way to enhance your life through balance in your body and mind. The use of essential oils can have not only profound effects on a person's mood, but it can affect your body as well. Essential oils can be very powerful, and must be used carefully and responsibly, especially when being administered to a child or pet. The world of aromatherapy is vast and complex, and the benefits can improve your life greatly.