How to effectively use essential oils
How to effectively use essential oils
What are the essential oils and which are the qualities that make them stand out?
Essential oils are volatile substances isolated from a plant. By the term volatile substances we mean those substances that are in liquid form but can evaporate under certain conditions. They remain in liquid form at ambient temperature but are volatile at boiling temperatures (between 50-320°C). Due to their volatility they have a strong aroma. The most common method to get the essential oil from a plant is distillation.
Properties
Essential oils are found on leaves, flowers, fruits, trunk, and even the roots of the plants. For example, in jasmine and rose, essential oil is collected from the flowers, while in the mint, dices, mint, etc from the leaves. It is believed that essential oils have antiseptic, antibacterial, antidepressant and other properties. Their very widespread use is as relaxing as they are thought to offer peace of mind and spirit.
Correct use for a delightful result
To use the essential oils, mix them with oil, water, or alcohol. This is because the essential oils contain the substances of a plant in high concentration. Therefore, they should be diluted and not come into direct contact with the skin.
Their most widespread use is massage because it combines the benefits of touch therapy and aromatherapy. Massage improves blood circulation, stimulates the muscles, eliminates toxins and reduces fatigue. Lavender, rose, jasmine and orange are just some of the oils that can make the massage a special mystery.
However, the way oils blend between each other and their action needs your attention so you get the result you want. Depending on the purpose of aromatherapy massage, different combinations and proportions of essential oils should be used. Let's see three cases of use.
- Chamomile, lavender and marjoram are suitable for dealing with stress. For more effective relaxation, it is recommended that the massage be done in the afternoon or evening hours.
- If you're looking for toning through ethereal massage, you prefer sage, rosemary or orange that have revitalizing action. A detail of cloves or cinnamon can even make your blend even more effective.
- A basic reason many people choose massage is to relieve muscular pains. For these cases, we recommend blends such as peppermint, eucalyptus or black pepper, which are considered "warmer".
- Another easy way of relaxing is the bath with water in which we pure drops of essential oils. Only a few drops of hot water are enough. Also, we can spray a few drops in the area for more wellness.
And insect repellents!
An additional utility is insect repellent. Instead, their most well-known use is to keep out mosquitoes. Plants such as peppermint, basil, lavender, and lemongrass tend to keep mosquitoes away due to their intense aroma. In fact, many herbal preparations that have an anti-mucous effect and are considered much safer than chemical formulations are on the market.
Aggeliki Koskeridou
Holistic Doctor – Counseling Psychotherapist
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
MSc c. Health Psychology
insta: dr_aggelikikoskeridou_official
