Having An Aromatherapy Massage

Having a massage is believed to be the most effective form of aromatherapy for back pain sufferers, although all painful areas of the body can benefit from a relaxing aromatherapy massage.

To prepare oils for an aromatherapy massage, add between two and five drops of essential oil to 10ml or 2 teaspoons of carrier oil and shake well. The proportion of essential oil in the blend should not exceed 3 percent. If more than one essential oil is used, the essential oils together should still only constitute 3 percent of the blend.

Making An Aromatherapy Compress

A good way of relieving localized aches and pains is to apply an aromatherapy compress. Compresses can be used hot, to ease muscle spasm for example, or cold, when they can help reduce pain and swelling after minor injuries.

To prepare for an aromatherapy compress, you need a clean handkerchief or other piece of cloth and a bowl of either how or cold water. Choose your essential oil or oils, then soak the cloth in the water and wring it out. Add between six to eight drops of the essential oil or oils to the water. The oil will float on the surface. Fold the cloth into a shape that will cover the area you wish to treat and gently touch the cloth to the surface of the water in order to absorb the droplets of essential oil. Place the cloth over the affected part of your body.

Cover the compress with another piece of clean cloth and hold it in place with surgical tape or, if you are treating a sprained ankle or other part of a limb, hold the compress in place by wrapping it in Clingfilm. Replace the compress with a fresh one every 12 hours or so.

Aromatherapy In The Bath

An Aromatherapy bath can be a wonderful way of relaxing and may help ease tense and aching muscles, as well as be relaxing for your mind. To prepare an aromatherapy bath, fill the tub with warm water and then add about sic drops of essential oil of your choice. Swish the water about gently to blend in the oil thoroughly. Do not add the essential oil while the bath is empty or while the water is still running, wait until the tub is full. Essential oils are volatile and will evaporate if they are combine with running water.

Inhalating Essential Oils

The aroma of essential oils can be inhaled directly or indirectly. To benefit directly, add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming hot water. Cover your head with a towel, bend forward over the bowl and inhale. This form of aromatherapy can be excellent for colds, respiratory problems and headaches due to clocked sinuses. Keep your eyes closed as you inhale the aroma, it is important never to get oils near your eyes. If oil gets into your eye by mistake, rinse with plenty of cold water.

To benefit indirectly, place a few drops of essential oil on to a pad of damp, absorbent cotton and place it on a warm radiator. The aroma will gradually fill the room. This can be stimulating or relaxing, depending upon your choices of oil. Alternatively, you could buy one of the various diffusers on the market. The simplest and most commonly used ones have a well or saucer above a small candle, or night light, which acts as the source of heat. Fill the well with water and add a few drops of an essential oil before lighting the night light. Essential oils burn easily so make sure you remove the bottle of oil and the dropper away from the diffuser before lighting to burn dry. You can also buy electrically powered diffusers as well as a variety of vaporizers.

Be aware

Aromatherapy during pregnancy should only be carried out by a qualified therapist. You should not undertake aromatherapy during the first trimester and it should be avoided altogether in a pregnancy with complications.

If you have a history of allergic skin reactions it is a good idea to have a skin test carried out by a suitably qualified practitioner, such as a clinical ecologist, before trying an essential oil.

Essential oils should never be taken internally unless you are under the care of a practitioner or physician who specializes in this form of treatment. So, you need to be aware of some procedure in aromatherapy.