What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional health.
Aromatherapy is thought of as both an art and a science. Recently, aromatherapy has gained more recognition in the fields of science and medicine.
(Healthline )
What does aromatherapy help?
There are many benefits to using aromatherapy such as:
manage pain
improve sleep quality
reduce stress, agitation, and anxiety
treat headaches and migraines
boost immunity
The uses of specific essential oils
Lemon - used to aid digestion, mood, headaches, and more
Lavender - used to relieve stress
Peppermint - used to boost energy and aid digestion
Sandalwood - used to calm nerves and help with focus
Bergamot - used to reduce stress and improve skin conditions like eczema
Rose - used to improve mood and reduce anxiety
Chamomile - used to improve mood and relaxation
Ylang-Ylang - used to treat headaches, nausea, and skin conditions
Tea tree - used to fight infections and boost immunity
Jasmine - used to help with depression, childbirth, and libido
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Don’t use directly, essential oils are never applied directly to the skin. They must be diluted with a carrier oil or water so that they can be safe to use. Also, do NOT ingest them unless it specifically says that you can!
All of these essential oils are found on the Carna website at: https://www.carnamentalwellness.org/product-page/essential-oils
Or in our stress, meditation, or self-care bundles!
How to use essential oils
1. Topical use
The topical use of essential oils is one of the most popular. You can apply essential oils to most parts of your body, but you want to be cautious of your most sensitive skin. To get the most benefit from your essential oils, you’ll find that certain applications are more effective than others.
Use your head, literally! Essential oils can be applied to the crown of your head, behind the ears, to your neck, and to your temples.
Essential oils are great for massage! For a calming massage, Lavender and Cedarwood essential oils can be added to a carrier oil. For rejuvenating muscles after a long workout, you can experience the cooling effect of Peppermint essential oil’s menthol in a sports massage.
Apply only to certain areas
The potency of oils means that you should not use them in sensitive areas. But, there are many places they can be used safely.
Know what to do in case of a reaction
Having a reaction to essential oils is rare, but it does happen. You will know if you are having a reaction based on responses in the skin, like irritation or increased tenderness. When trying a new oil, always perform a patch test by applying one drop of oil (with five to ten drops of carrier oil for hot or sensitive oils) to a patch of skin on your forearm. Observe that area of skin for one hour for any reaction, though you are most likely to react within 10 minutes. Keep Coconut Oil on hand to immediately reduce the effects should a reaction occur.
2. Inhalation
Inhaling essential oils in a confined space is one of the most effective ways of using essential oils.
The best way to achieve this is by filling a bowl of hot water in a sink, adding some drops of essential oil to the hot water, then placing a towel over your head and bending over the sink to create a vapor bowl.
Adding a couple of drops of essential oil to a tissue and inhaling from the tissue is an effective way to use oils on the go.
Another way to inhale essential oils is through an essential oil diffuser, essential oil diffusers work by emitting essential oils into the air. This means you can inhale and absorb the benefits into your body.
If you'd like to print out this info packet, the easiest way is to print this google doc! FYI: It doesn't have all the links and related info that are on the online versions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wMGpxmP2V36GmW425QbV522dA-t0cZzEeMEMiVBlxZo/edit?usp=sharing
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