Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for physical and emotional well-being. They are made up of natural chemicals that work in synergy with each other. Unlike prescription drugs, the healing properties of essential oils go back thousands of years.
Two of the most versatile essential oils are lavender and peppermint. Think of these two oils as yin and yang. Lavender is warm and relaxing, while mint is fresh and invigorating.
Each morning, add eight to ten drops of peppermint essential oil to a water-filled fragrance burner to help you wake up. Peppermint is also useful for fighting afternoon problems and has a natural cooling effect. Put a drop or two on a cotton ball, close your eyes, and inhale deeply. If you are prone to headaches, mix one-eighth cup of carrier oil, such as sweet almond or extra virgin olive oil, with 12 drops of peppermint and massage into the temples, neck, and forehead.
At night, add nine drops of lavender to your bath water, dim the lights, and take several deep breaths to help you relax. Try a few drops directly on your pillowcase or on a cotton ball if you have trouble falling asleep. Lavender can help balance your emotions, relieve stress, and help lower blood pressure. It is beneficial for the skin and can be used for blemishes, scrapes, sunburns, and rashes. Add a drop or two to a wet cotton ball and apply to the affected area.
One of the easiest ways to use lavender or peppermint is to make your own body lotion. Buy a high-quality unscented lotion and add thirty to forty drops of the oil or a combination of the two oils.
Essential oils are naturally antibacterial and antiviral and are effective in treating colds and flu. Fill a bowl with water, warm carefully, then add a few drops of lavender and mint. Put a towel over your head, close your eyes, and inhale. When the water cools down, take a cloth and use it as a compress to cover your forehead. This helps relieve headaches and sinus pressure.
Replace your room air fresheners and their inherent chemicals and ozone-depleting propellants. Add several drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle filled with distilled water and shake gently before spraying your room. Use lavender as a linen spray and mint on your countertops and floorboards to deter household pests.
Did you know that approximately 70,000 synthetic chemicals are used in commercial products today? What health consequences do these chemicals pose with daily exposure? Use essential oils as an alternative to these products for everyday health and wellness. A few words of caution: With the exception of lavender and tea tree, essential oils should never be applied undiluted, directly to the skin. Drive carefully and feel good because you are helping yourself, your family and your environment.