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