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Millbourne Massage and Wholistic Health
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
(780) 437-4850
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Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential oils and floral waters, known as hydrosols, distilled from a wide variety of plants. One of the primary ways of using aromatherapy is through touch. In each of my massage session I will offer to use a variety of essential oils.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR STRESS OR THE BLUES:
- Geranium
- Rose
- Neroli (orange blossom)
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Basil
- Roman chamomile
For direct use on the skin, always dilute essential oils in a “base” oil. Base oils include almond, walnut, and grapeseed, but any good quality vegetable oil works fine.
Here are some ways to use essential oils at home to help when you’re stressed or feeling blue. Use only pure, high-quality oils.
WAYS TO USE YOUR OILS
- Self-massage
- Make your own personalized oil, by blending neroli and geranium, or lavender and lemongrass, in a base oil (see above). It’s also nice to add a few drops of basil to either of these blends.
- Baths
- Add 10 drops of lavender, Roman chamomile or rose to a warm tub—and swish!
- Diffusers
- A diffuser is a special device to dispense essential oils into the air without altering their components. Use as directed. Alternatively, you can add oils to a ring designed to fit around a light bulb or add drops of oils to a bowl of water placed on a radiator. Try the blends listed above.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ACHES AND PAINS:
- Roman chamomile
- Birch
- Atlas cedarwood
- Rosemary
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
The last two can be irritating, so always dilute them in a “base” oil before using. Base oils include almond, walnut, and grapeseed, but any good quality vegetable oil works fine.
Here are some ways to use essential oils at home to help ease your aches and pains in muscles or joints.
WAYS TO USE YOUR OILS
- Self-massage
- To blend a nice massage oil, add about 10 drops of essential oil to an ounce of base oil or lotion. Try this blend: 2 drops chamomile, 2 drops birch, 2 drops rosemary, and 4 drops lavender added to one ounce base oil. Massage into sore or cramped muscles after a bath.
- Baths
- Add 10 drops each of eucalyptus and Atlas cedarwood to a tub of warm water, and soak. Add the oils after your bath is drawn and swish well before entering water.
- Compresses
- Soak a clean towel in a sink of very warm water to which 5-10 drops of a blend of the above essential oils has been added. Wring out and apply it to your sore body part. Resoak when the towel cools and use for a total time of 20-30 minutes.
- Rubdowns
- To avoid soreness from exercise, give yourself a brisk rub down after a workout. Mix 10 drops of a blend of black pepper, rosemary, and eucalyptus to an ounce of base oil. Rub your limbs quickly and thoroughly. It’s advisable not to oil your body before vigorous exercise, because the oil can interfere with your ability to sweat.
Note: Tell your massage therapist if there is an essential oil you particularly like. He or she may have it available to add to the oil used during your session.
RESOURCES
Renowned aromatherapist Francoise Rapp has e-books, a newsletter and other information on her website: www.aromalchemy.com
Aromatherapist and teacher Jeanne Rose is the author of The Aromatherapy Book: Applications and Inhalations (North Atlantic Books, 1995) and offers home-study courses.