Essential Oils for Beginners
Ready to start a fragrant journey to better well-being? Follow this beginner’s guide to common aromatherapy essential oils and dive into the fascinating world of aromatic expression. Hold on to your diffuser, here we go!
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy uses aromatic plant extracts and essential oils for various therapeutic purposes, namely to promote health and well-being. It is considered a form of alternative medicine and a complementary therapy practiced worldwide. But it’s no new fangled practice, Humans have practiced aromatherapy since before it was ever coined aromatherapy.
The Egyptians used it medicinally and cosmetically, as well as using it for embalming purposes. In Ancient China used many of the same plants that are popular in the modern form of aromatherapy. Auyervedic uses of Sandalwood and Jasmine were popular in India.
The Greeks learned much from the Egyptians were said to take herb baths for medicial purposes and aromatice massages. The Romans used oils in their daily hygiene regimines. And of course we can’t forget the middle Ages where herbs were used in attempts to ward off lagues.
To says Aromatherapy is new age and modern is not giving history it’s full credit.
Sometimes these days, Aromatherapy is called essential oil therapy because essential oils are a prominent feature. Oils are applied to the skin or used on the olfactory senses through direct or steam inhalation.
If you love spending time outside near a flower or herb garden, you will surely be pleased about bringing fresh scents inside, too.
However you decide to engage with aromatherapy, remember to consult with your trusted medical health practitioner first and cooperate with their advice.
How to Use Essential Oils for Aromatherapy
Harness the benefits of aromatherapy with three basic application methods. Depending on your needs, one approach may be more suitable than the others.
- Diffusion–Diffusers disperses aromatherapy benefits throughout a single space. You can use a spritz bottle or any type of essential oil diffuser on the market. But you don’t need a diffuser to use essential oils. Keep reading!
“As a seasonal allergy sufferer, I love diffusing lavender, lemon and peppermint in the spring and fall when pollens kick up. Keeping my bedroom windows closed and using this blend helps tremendously with getting a good night’s sleep.”
— Gina Matsoukas, Running to the Kitchen
- Direct or Steam Inhalation-Place a few drops of essential oil on a handkerchief or an aroma pendant, bring the material directly in front of your nose and mouth, cup the space with your hands and take a few deep breaths. Alternatively, add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water. Lean over the bowl with a towel draped over your head to trap the steam. Take a few deep breaths in this position.
- Topical Application-Start with a carrier oil like olive or sweet almond oil and dilute a few drops of essential oil into it. Then, apply topically to the skin. Essential oils can be used in massage oils, creams, lotions, balms, and salves. Roll-on blends are another type of application. Small roller bottles, usually containing 5 or 10 milliliters of diluted oil, are applied on the inside wrist, nape of the neck, temples or above the collar bone.
Best Essential Oils
Opening a catalog of essential oils and seeing over a hundred options with a wide range of price points, from affordable to jaw-droppingly expensive, is an overwhelming experience for beginners, so much so that it might turn you off from learning about essential oils at all.
- Lavender oil-Known best as a relaxing oil, lavender is excellent for evening use before going to bed. It’s a classic ingredient in salt scrubs, body lotions, soap and massage oils. Diffuse the floral scent after a long day, add lavender-infused bath confetti, and take a soak in the tub to unwind.
- Peppermint oil-Fresh and invigorating, peppermint oil is an enlivening oil for any aromatherapy use. It’s a star in this essential oil recipe for pain and inflammation for whenever you want to add a minty, fresh accent to your day.
- Ylang ylang oil-Exquisitely exotic and floral, ylang ylang is a unique scent. Prized for its uplifting effects, beginners can use this oil in steam inhalations or massage. It’s also a romantic scent, perfect for roll-on applications or diffusing ahead of romantic relations.
- Eucalyptus oil-Have you ever gone to a steam sauna with young eucalyptus leaves next to the vents? Inhaling the vapors is commonly employed for easing congestion and promoting respiratory health. You can set up a steam inhalation and take a shortcut at home. Or hang eucalyptus in your shower at home!
- Lemon oil-Lemon oil, like the lemon fruit itself, has a bright and energetic smell that is sure to make you think of sunny summer days. Add it to your diffuser to enhance a lively atmosphere or to a DIY cleaning spray and wipe away the dullness that might come with household chores. I love to use it in my diffuser after I’ve cleaned the house, it just fairly well shouts “I’M CLEAN!!”
- Rosemary oil-Like lemon oil, rosemary oil also has a functional place in soap and many household cleaners. You can receive aromatherapy benefits from this oil in many ways. Consider using some in a diffuser for your next study or brainstorming session.
- Cedarwood oil-A Little Frugal Homestead favorite!! We love it for its warm and comforting scent. Cedarwood oil is for diffusing and adding to personal care products. It’s especially useful for crafting manly scents in DIY gift ideas like whipped beard butter, shaving cream or body spray.
Final thoughts
We’ve only just touched on the very surface of aromatherapy and oils. However, this gives you a solid introduction to the basics and a good list of beginners oils you might want to invest in,
This collection is enough to get started with diffusing single or double oils and even DIY personal care and home cleaners with aromatherapy benefits.
After some experimentation, you’ll soon discover your favorite ways to enjoy calming and invigorating scents throughout the year.
