Have Fun Giving Health and Happiness This Season with Aromatherapy

The Season is once again upon us. So much to do, and so many people to take care of. Through all the chaos, we’d like to always to a little something special to bring extra cheer to our gatherings of friends and family...but how? Ever tried ‘real’ aromatherapy? Not just a potpourri in the bathroom, or lemon-scented detergent. Real aromatherapy with pure essential oils. It can make a difference, creating a warm, friendly, familial atmosphere inspiring a smile on everyone’s faces. There may even be some health supporting side effects as well, just from smelling something good...

Essential oils offer a totally unique and effective means of creating a warm, familial atmosphere with relative ease. Our hearts and minds respond to aromas before we even ‘think’ about them. Before we’re able to decide whether we like or don’t like a particular smell, our body is already reacting physiologically. In the case of aromatherapy, we’re generally concerned with pleasant, healthy mind/body responses to aroma (and we’ll be discussing the strictly emotional and psychological aspects of aromatherapy here, saving its extremely important roll in our physical health for another time). In scientific studies, the simple aromatic use of pure essential oils has been shown to lower cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and promote endorphin release...they’ve even been shown to prevent rats from fighting. Imagine what they can do for your family!

Using essential oils as means to create an uplifting atmosphere is very straightforward. Selecting the oils may be the hardest part, as there’s so many to choose from (we’ll look at a few effective ones shortly). You can get just a single oil, or mix and match several to your liking. You’ll even find pre-blended ones that are popular this time of year. Beyond the oils themselves, you’ll need an aromatherapy diffuser - something that evaporates the oils into the air. Diffusers are available in several varieties, from basic warming models, to high-end therapeutic units.

Diffusing essential oils, which really means evaporating them from their oil state into the air around you, can be done in a number of ways. The least complex of all might be making your own potpourri, adding several drops of oils to the bowl or basket. Other folks add a few drops of oil to pinecones and place them about the house. Using this diffusion method, you may want to mix a small amount of a vegetable oil with the essential oil, as to slow the oil’s evaporation rate, and lengthen the time you’ll be enjoying the aromas. As for the more modern devices, there are warming diffusers which just plug into an outlet and evaporate the oil from a cotton pad. There are ‘fan’ models which blow air over a similar, but often larger pad. Then there are the high-end units of nebulizing diffusers which make a mist of the essential oils to get higher concentrations into larger areas. ANY of these will work for making your home smell lovely for the holidays; if you think you may want to pursue aromatherapy in the future, you may consider investing in a nebulizer-style diffuser, as they generally have a more broad range of therapeutic possibilities.

As for the essential oils - it’s especially delightful that the scents of the season have several timely qualities. Perhaps the most popular are the ‘evergreen’ oils like Balsam Fir, Spruce and Juniper Berry. These are all uplifting, bright aromatics that also have grounding, calming properties. Balsam Fir may be the favorite, with its complex, sweet, balsamic and woody scent; Black Spruce follows a close second, and Juniper Berry, when of fine quality, is also very well-loved. Pine needle is also a wonderful aroma, coming in the more common Scots Pine, with its simple ‘piney’ brilliance, and the more complex and exotic Pinus kessia. A fantastic feature of the evergreen oils is that they blend together so nicely. You may chose any two or more of the above, and blend them at almost any ratio and come out with something smelling really good.

More ‘traditional’ aromas may appeal more to the adult gatherings; these might include the oils of Frankincense, Myrrh or Sandalwood. These tend to be more grounding scents; very rich and earthy. Frankincense is both light and full at the same time, with its citrus and woody notes. Myrrh is more hypnotic and mysterious, useful in small amounts. Sandalwood is a classic favorite - while the Indian varieties are a little pricey, wonderful oils are coming from Australian and the South Pacific. Each of these oils makes wonderful additions to a blend containing primarily the evergreens described above; they can also be mixed together for an exquisite experience (try two parts each of Frankincense and Sandalwood to one part Myrrh).

If you really want to get creative, there are many brilliant aromatics from which to choose. Lavender is well-known for its calming scent; citrus oils like Bergamot, Orange and Grapefruit are lively can easily brighten your space. Spice oils can be added to blends or used on their own in small amounts (they can be potent, and should be used cautiously)...these include Cinnamon, Clove, Peppermint, Cardamom and the like. If you’re not familiar with blending, try using these oils singly, or in combinations of two or three at most. Or get enough to make small batches to test your formula, then a just as your nose desires.

Just a little essential oil can bring a new kind of cheer to you and your family this season. One small bottle is often enough to scent your home for several days - more potent oils will last even longer. As you become familiar with the array of aromas available, you’ll be able to pick and choose oils particularly suited to your needs. The effects of aromatherapy may surprise you; maybe enough to get you hooked and keep you smiling through the rest of the winter.

Article Source: http://archivex-ht.com/articles

The author is a regular contributor to natural health sites and ezines on the topics of essential oils, aromatherapy, and flower essence remedies. She may be contacted through www.anandaapothecary.com

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