Getting started using essential oils isn't easy for everyone. Without a knowledgeable colleague giving some advice about how to use them, or even which ones to use, those racks of little bottles on the store shelves can remain a mystery. Well, here's a head start: the top 5 essential oils in aromatherapy and how to use them. With this, you should be able to make your first venture into the medicinal use of essential oils!
Lavender essential oil is the most widely used oil for several reasons. It works its magic aromatically, when topically applied, and even when ingested (in very small amounts -- not something to do with most oils). Generally, it can be considered aromatherapy's number one soothing oil. It's aroma reduces stress markers in laboratory research, and when topically applied it has a mild anesthetic effect. It was recently published that a capsule containing about 2 drops of the oil, when consume daily, was as effective as benzodiazepine drugs at reducing mild to moderate anxiety. It also has regenerative ketones that help the skin heal, and its main constituent is "linalool", which recently was discovered to have anticancer activity.
Probably the single most common use of lavender is for getting a better night's sleep. One can simply sprinkle a drop or two on the bedspread (a hint of the aroma works best), or invest in a diffuser. One can also massage the feet with a couple drops before bed -- this works great for kids. For small kitchen burns, just apply a little essential oil directly. For larger wounds, blend equally with tea tree to create a soothing, potently-antiseptic blend.
Also very popular is tea tree oil. People have been using it as a natural antiseptic for years without knowing they're using aromatherapy. Tea tree takes the place of every over-the-counter antiseptic. It can be used directly if you find your skin not to sensitive, or put on the bandage if need be. The antiseptic blend of equal parts with lavender is the choice for younger ones. One can dilute it in hazelnut or grapeseed oils for acne (yes, these oils are called for in the therapeutic recipes) at the ratio of 40 to 80 drops of tea tree for every ounce of carrier oil. This same formula can be used for really any kind of skin infection you might encounter. And with its newly discovered antiviral activity, you might even consider deeply inhaling its aroma when those around you are catching colds.
You'll find a great many uses for lemon essential oil, too. Lemon's aroma is (like peppermint's, which we'll get to) an uplifting scent which clarifies the mind. It's been shown to reduce the breakdown of acetylcholine, our primary information-processing neurotransmitter. A study done in Japan showed the aroma significantly reduced the number of errors made by office workers. And its a great cleaning agent, for the body and your surroundings. A couple drops in a bottle of water cleans the water and might help clean your liver. You'll find many recipes online for homemade cleaning formulas including lemon, not only for its antibacterial activity but for its bright fresh scent.
Peppermint's primary uses are for helping your digestion and for bringing about alertness. When you're feeling drowsy or foggy, just inhale a little peppermint and you'll feel like you instantly got more oxygen to your brain. You can try a drop on your tongue as well (though some folks find this a little too "hot"). To stimulate digestion, a couple drops can be taken in a small cup of warm water. This can help with nausea too. Peppermint can even be found in enterically-coated capsules for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. The oil has been used for ages as a food flavoring agent, so if you want to make something a little minty, try a drop or two in your dish or drink -- remember that the pure oil is very potent, so you'll almost certainly need less than you expect.
The fifth most popular oil is Eucalyptus. It comes in several varieties: Blue Gum is most common, and can be used in many ways. Like a cleaning agent similar to lemon, add it to your homemade cleaning recipes or sprinkle in your laundry. Like peppermint, you can put a couple drops in the palms of your hands, rub them together and inhale for a bit of clarity -- in the mind and in the sinuses. The narrow-leaf type, also found as eucalyptus "radiata" has antiviral action, and is great to use in the cold and flu season. Use it in a diffuser or inhale from a bowl of steaming water. The primary constituent of all eucalyptus varieties is "eucalyptol", known mostly for its support of many breathing conditions and gentle antimicrobial actions.
This little review might be enough to launch your practice of medicinal aromatherapy -- just by having a few of these oils on hand, you'll learn to start using them, and prompt your interest further on the subject. The more you learn, the more you'll find the therapeutic uses of essential oils are amazing -- they can prevent catching viral illnesses, significantly reduce pain and speed healing, and even have anticancer activity. Wherever you start, good luck and enjoy the ride!
Author Resource:-
The author has made available much information about aromatherapy, such as using citronella and other organic essential oil.
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