Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy involves either inhaling the oils or massaging them into the skin. Inhaling the oils stimulates certain parts of the brain. Aromatherapy massage rubs diluted oils into the skin from where they pass into the blood. They then affect the nervous system, mental functions and the emotions.

Aromatherapy in the home
Essential oils are highly concentrated. Never apply undiluted oils directly onto the skin and do not take the oils internally unless under the supervision of a fully trained aromatherapist.

To make a room smell nice, change your mood or relieve stress, try placing 1-5 drops in a burner, vaporiser or on a tissue. For a relaxing massage, put 1-5 drops into a teaspoon of carrier oil (such as wheat germ, sweet almond, cream or gel). For a special bath, put 4-6 drops of oil into a teaspoon of carrier oil and drop into the bath water. Mix it in with the bath water thoroughly so that it dissolves evenly.

When to use aromatherapy

• When you're feeling stressed
• If you suffer with insomnia
• If you're having emotional problems

When not to use aromatherapy

• If you're pregnant, have epilepsy or high blood pressure, take medical advice first.
• Also be careful – they are flammable.

More information and further reading

Aromatherapy Council
www.aromatherapycouncil.co.uk
Tel: 020 8251 7912

Aromatherapy: an A-Z
Patricia Davis and Sarah Budd  ISBN: 0852072953

Massage and aromatherapy
The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils
Julia Lawless  ISBN: 1852303115

The Directory of Essential Oils
Wanda Sellar  ISBN: 0852073461

Disclaimer
All content in the Healthy Ideas section is for general information only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your GP if you are concerned about your health. SPAN is not responsible or liable for any actions taken by a user of this site. SPAN is not liable for the contents of any external sites listed, nor does it endorse any advice, products or services mentioned on these sites.