Home Aromatherapy Methods: Part One

Home Aromatherapy Methods: Part One

There are a number of ways that you can use essential oils as part of aromatherapy, depending on what you’re using the oils for and what type of oil they are. In this blog post, we’re going to show you a few of the ways to use aromatherapy at home. We’ll be focusing on the methods of inhalation here, and part 2 will focus on external uses of essential oils at home.

Before you begin, keep in mind that the amounts given are for adults and children over 12 only. For children under 7, essential oils should only be used at the direction of a qualified aromatherapist or a doctor. For children ages 7 – 12, you will need to use half (or less) of the amounts mentioned.

You may also need to use different amounts depending on the type of oil and purpose, so please be sure to only use this as an outline of the various methods that are available to you and always check carefully about how to use your essential oils before you begin aromatherapy.

Now that we’ve got those important notes out of the way, here are different home aromatherapy methods that you can use:

1. Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation is often used to treat things like chest or throat infections, sinus pain, congestion, and headaches. It’s also a good way to benefit from essential oils that lead to skin irritation. People who should not use steam inhalation for aromatherapy are those who are having difficulty breathing such as those with asthma. Children should also not participate in steam inhalation.

To use steam inhalation for aromatherapy, fill a large bowl with hot (but not boiling) water and add 3 – 4 drops of essential oils. Set the bowl on a table while seated and lean over it. Drape a towel over your head and around the bowl. Make sure your head is at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) away from the water to keep the steam from the water from damaging your skin.

2. Baths

Taking a bath with some essential oils can be a great way to treat various skin conditions, help you relax, ease muscular and join pain, and stimulate your brain or body. Using essential oils in a bath allows them to work internally as you inhale what escapes into the air, and externally as they come into contact with your skin.

Once you’ve filled your bathtub with warm water that’s the right temperature, you’ll simply add 5 – 10 drops of essential oils and climb in. Be sure to stay in the water for at least 20 minutes to get the full benefits from the oils. If you want to make it easier for the oils to mix in the water, you may add a carrier oil or milk. Because oils can make things slippery, be careful when getting in and out of the tub!

3. Oil Burners and Vaporizers

Oil burners and vaporizers are primarily used to fill an entire room with a scent, or to disinfect the air in the room. This is also the preferred method for using inhalation of essential oils with children as it allows the vapors to be significantly more diluted compared to steam inhalation which can deliver too much of the oils to a child’s sensitive system.

Every oil burner and vaporizer is going to work a little differently, so be sure to follow the directions for what you’re using. Generally, you’ll need to add a certain amount of water along with 6 – 8 drops of essential oils. Then, either turn it on or light the candle to begin diffusing the oil. Alternatively, you can fill a small bowl with water and the essential oils and leave it near a heat source such as a vent.

Part Two Coming Soon!