I used aromatherapy for two years without completely believing it really worked, but then something happened that convinced me.
I was a college kid in a dorm, and I'd been using a few basic essential oils - rosemary to sharpen my concentration during study hours, and lavender to get me to bed early the night before an exam (my usual schedule involved sleeping at around 3-4 am). It worked for me, but I believed it was probably Pavlovian in nature - still, whatever works, hey?
I hid my hobby from my friends, fearing they'd laugh at me for this flaky woo-woo new age stuff.
Then, one of my friends couldn't sleep the night before her exam - she had tried just about everything, and was near tears by the time I walked into her room and placed two drops of lavender essential oil on her pillow.
I didn't see her until after her exam the next day, when she came up and asked me, "What *was* that stuff? I fell asleep in about 5 minutes after you came in."
I was convinced – and so was she, and so were all our friends.
Aromatherapy – from aroma (smell) and therapy (treatment) – is one of the oldest, most pleasant, and most sensuous ways to affect your mood and your health. Essential oils extracted from plants are placed into a burner, or diluted in a carrier oil and used for massage. Experiment with different blends in your burner (or in your bath). A total of 4-6 drops of essential oil should be enough to fragrance a medium-sized room.
If you want to get started with aromatherapy, you’ll need some essential oils. Be sure to buy them from a reputable source, and get those that are marked 100% pure – some places sell essential oils pre-mixed with carrier oils. Some oils may seem a little expensive, but as you only use a few drops at a time, they go a surprisingly long way.
For a beginner’s kit, I’d recommend the following essential oils.
Lavender: soothing and floral. Relaxing, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic – great for traveling, as you can use it for first aid as well as to combat the effects of jet lag and being in an unfamiliar hotel room. Put a few drops into your bathtub for an evening soak, or wear a few drops behind your ears as perfume!
Tea Tree: medicinal. Antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial – wonderful to have on hand for first aid, and good for acne. Put some in the burner if someone in the house has a cold or the flu.
The above two oils are among a very small number of oils that are generally recognized as gentle enough to apply undiluted to the skin. Most essential oils should be diluted in a carrier oil before use, but you can experiment by testing a small amount in the crook of your elbow – if you experience redness, swelling, itching, or any other form of irritation, you need to dilute this oil, or perhaps stop using it altogether.
I’d also recommend:
Geranium: light, rosy fragrance. Particularly good for balancing women’s hormones. Combines well with lavender to combat PMS.
Rosemary: sharp, refreshing. Improves alertness and concentration.
Citrus oils like lemon, orange and grapefruit are popular and inexpensive, but these deteriorate fast, so you should use them quickly.
Personally (though your mileage may vary), I like patchouli oil – this is one of the only essential oils to improve rather than deteriorate with time. I tolerate it well, and wear a drop or two as an earthy, long-lasting perfume.
Beyond this, just use your nose, and pick out essential oils that resonate with you and that you like the smell of. There is a vast range of essential oils to choose from – good luck with your beginner’s kit, and just have fun!
