| The use of pure essential oils from plants dates | | | | self-treatment is in the bath. Place 6 drops on the |
| back many centuries, and the history of | | | | surface of the bath water just before entering. |
| aromatherapy is in many ways part of the | | | | The drops quickly form a thin film over the |
| history of herbal medicine as a whole. The Arabic | | | | surface which adheres to the skin and is partially |
| countries are credited with first discovering the | | | | absorbed, helped by the warmth of the water. |
| process of distillation of oils, around a thousand | | | | For oils such as Peppermint, which can make the |
| years ago, and since then their use has spread | | | | skin tingle if used in large amounts, just add 3-4 |
| both eastwards through the Indian sub-continent | | | | drops, whereas with a mild and generally very |
| and westwards into Europe. Much modern | | | | safe oil such as Lavender, 10 drops can be used. |
| research has taken place, for example, in France, | | | | If using a blend, the above suggestions represent |
| ranging from perfumery applications to medicinal | | | | the total number of drops to use in the bath. For |
| uses as powerful anti-infective agents . | | | | compresses, use a maximum of 5 drops in a |
| Essential oils are highly concentrated | | | | small bowl of hot or cold water as directed in this |
| substances-pure oil of Rose, for instance, may | | | | book. |
| require 5,000 roses to make just 5 ml(1 tsp) of | | | | Another important method for using oils is diluted |
| oil! For this reason they should be treated with | | | | into a base vegetable oil and applied to the skin in |
| respect and used sparingly- small is definitely | | | | massage. For home use a general dilution rate |
| better(and cheaper). In large doses many essential | | | | should be 1 percent; since essential oils are usually |
| oils can become somewhat irritating to the skin, | | | | sold in dropper bottles, this means a maximum of |
| and a few are quite toxic if not used correctly. | | | | 20 drops per 100 ml(4 fl oz/1/2 cup) of base oil. |
| Since a large part of their effect on our moods | | | | Different cultures over the centuries have |
| and emotional states occurs through our sense of | | | | favoured various vegetable oils for massage, |
| smell, it is important not to use any individual oil | | | | mostly dependent on local availability. Probably the |
| for too long, as they become tolerated and less | | | | most versatile oil is that of Sweet Almond; it is |
| useful. As a general rule, do not use an oil on a | | | | absorbed well into the skin and helps to nourish |
| daily basis for more than 10 days. Similarly, do not | | | | the skin, too. Other good base oils are Grapeseed, |
| inhale or mix too many oils together at one time; | | | | Sunflower and Safflower; the lightest oil of all is |
| the olfactory centre in the brain becomes | | | | Coconut, but it may become solid at cool |
| confused and an excess of essences can cause | | | | temperatures. |
| headaches or even nausea. Three or at the most | | | | Keep aromatherapy oils in wellĂ‚Âstoppered |
| four oils should be the maximum; two may be | | | | bottles, out of the sun, when not in use. |
| better. | | | | Essential oils are very concentrated: add a drop at |
| A common way to use essential oils for | | | | a time and only use the amounts suggested. |