Archive for June, 2008

Making Your Own Essential Oils

Friday, June 27th, 2008

Making Your Own Essential Oils

This is a craft you should try. You should try making essential oils in your very own kitchen. The process is amazingly simple and can actually be done by anyone. The most complicated thing will be deciding what to do with all of those oils when you are done making them. You can use a basic essential oil in your body lotions, candles, soaps and bath salts to give away as gifts. It is the perfect gift for anyone with a sense of smell.

Making the oil starts with flowers. Most aromatherapy essential oils are made up of scents from flowers so that may be the best place for you to start. Begin by picking out a flower that you love. Roses, lavender and honeysuckle are very popular flowers because their scent is so strong. A flower with a strong scent is your ally in this process. You will need an oil base such as grapeseed oil, cheese cloth to strain the oil/flower mixture, jars for the process and pretty jars for the final product. You will also need to have a mallet, storage bags with a zipper, and a funnel to pour the essential oil into the containers which can later be mixed to make body lotions, bath salts, soaps and even candles.

The next step is to take one cup of flowers and place them in the bag. Take your mallet and gently pound the flowers until slightly crushed and flat. At this point put the cheese cloth over the empty jar. Put the flowers in and pour the oil over the flowers. Each day for three more days you will repeat this process using the same oil but different flowers. On the fourth day you will have essential oils to put in your decorative bottles.

Those decorative bottles of essential oils will make the perfect gift for someone on your list. Who would not want such a personal gift from someone they care about? The process is inexpensive, easy and the results are absolutely wonderful. You can always create other things out of the oils such as bath salts, body lotions and even your own personal massage oil. Keep them or give them away. Either way you will be immensely pleased at the results of your aromatherapy hobby.

The Breakdown of Aromatherapy Massage

An aromatherapy massage is not something to be missed. Everyone should indulge themselves, or someone they love, with a massage package that pampers their body from head to toe. Rubbed down with an essential oil mixed with almond or grapeseed oil is a pleasure not to be missed. Imagine, the incredible scents drafting up to the nostrils and then that blissful sense of peace entering as the tension leaves. It is pure heaven on earth.

Most aromatherapy massages take place in a spa. The session begins with you undressing and being draped with towels to cover any areas not being treated by the rubdown. The masseuse will combine essential oil with base oil in order to produce aromatic oil which will be used during the session. Different aromatherapy essential oils include: lavender, vanilla, peppermint, eucalyptus and sandalwood. The base oil may be grapeseed oil, apricot oil or almond oil. The masseuse will probably not use any body lotions, as these have a tendency to wear off quickly during a massage. Oil is the preferred medium with which to work their magic.

So why do aromatherapy essential oils work? Your brain has olfactory sensors that go off when you smell something. If you smell something displeasing to you, then your body will react to that smell by causing you to back away or become upset. There are scents occurring in nature that cause your brain to release different chemicals in response to their aroma. Take for example peppermint. Peppermint essential oil is considered to be an energizing scent. The brain becomes more active and awake when smelling peppermint.

Aromatherapy oil is different from a perfume or fragrant oil used in your home to scent a room. You must know the differences if you are going to be the one giving out the massage or you are making your own essential oil for an aromatherapy massage. A perfume is a chemical process that includes alcohol and other manmade chemicals. You want to use oils that are made from plants because they have been crushed and processed specifically for use on the skin.

If you have not had the chance to have an aromatherapy massage, then you are missing a huge treat. No matter what your mood that day, there is an essential oil that can be used to help you feel better. A long stressful week at work may need some lavender and vanilla to help calm the mind and muscles. If you feel that you just do not have enough energy, then you may want a reviving peppermint massage. Whatever scent you choose, you will no doubt enjoy the experience.

Consideration for the Massage Therapy Profession

The practice of massage therapy has a long and rich history. Cultures from all over the world have had some experience with this form of holistic medicine. Even Hippocrates wrote of how physicians should know how to give, what we now call a therapeutic massage, to someone to ensure their overall well-being. Obviously, he was right because the job field for massage therapists is booming and there is always a great demand for this form of therapy in a variety of settings. Even though the popularity rises and falls, aromatherapy massage is still going strong.

How often have you pulled a muscle or sprained something? You have probably done this at least once in your life. Even if you have never had an injury, you may have felt tightness in your neck and shoulders. What was your reaction? You probably massaged the area. Massage therapy is that answer to easing tense, tired or injured muscles. Through the use of oils and massage techniques, massage therapists can help someone feel better by relieving their muscles of stress.

Massage therapists perform a different function than a typical masseuse. The masseuse will use body lotions that are made from aromatherapy essential oils. This produces either a calming effect or makes the person feel rejuvenation all along their tired and aching body. A very popular essential oil is lavender. Lavender is known for its calming affect which in turn allows the individual, and their muscles, to relax.

Massage therapists are typically found in hospitals, physical therapy offices, spas and beauty salons. They also work with professional athletes to help them recover from an injury or from the rigors of their sport. They have begun to find a vital position in the medical field for their work. Considering how long masseuses have been around, it is time for them to be recognized for their profession.

Treat yourself to a massage therapist and you will definitely feel and act better. Your muscles will be relaxed and ready to take on the day. Massage therapy can work for you if you give it a chance. You can find a massage therapist in local spas, beauty parlors and hospitals. Even some gyms offer wonderful, full body massage techniques to help people relax and become rejuvenated.

aromatherapy oils

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • Bumpzee
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Furl
  • Mixx
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google

Lavender Aromatherapy

Thursday, June 26th, 2008

Lavender Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy plays a bigger role in your life than you might actually think. Think about how much you enjoy your favorite body lotions, soaps, candles and fragrances. How do they make you feel? Do you breathe them in and give a big sigh because it makes you feel better? The soothing scents of lavender mixed with a warm hint of vanilla can soothe the savage beast. All those scents that you like come together to create different moods.

The use of aromatherapy has had a long and glorious history with mankind. The actual word was not coined until the 1920’s by a French chemist, but there have always been essential oils used for a variety of purposes. We now see these oils being used in body lotions, soaps, candles and even when indulging in a spa massage. The goal of the masseuse is to find a scent that achieves its purpose. Take, for example, a therapist using lavender to soothe and calm someone who is under a lot of stress.

Our sense of smell drives us and influences our behavior. Think about a freshly baked pumpkin pie. Now, if that image was reinforced by the smell of a pumpkin pie, then it will probably make you hungry for a slice. Our sense of smell plays a huge part in everything we do. Aromatherapy is about using pleasing scents to change your behavior and mood. If you think about it, then consider your reaction to a foul smell.

Scientists and the medical profession are now embracing the fact that an aromatherapist can work wonders on a person’s psychological well-being. If the body is relaxed and free of tension, then the mind will follow. Perhaps these discoveries will help influence mental health professionals when dealing with individuals who are Bipolar or suffer from depression.

Aromatherapy is here to stay. Each time we breathe in and smell something that changes our mood or changes the body’s response to certain stimuli, we are embracing the concept. Considering how long the practice has been used and how long mankind has responded to these scents, it is fairly certain that there will be continued use for a variety of treatments. Perhaps one day medical science will be able to reproduce those calming effects that lavender and vanilla have on the human body.

Guide to Massages

Have you ever worked really hard out in your yard and felt stiff the next day? The stiffness is from your muscles. It happens if the area was not properly warmed up before physical exertion. You probably already know about the healing work of a body massage. The massage therapist works the muscles to allow them to relax. When the muscles relax, the pain and stiffness evaporates. Massages have long been given to help the body recover. There are different types though.

Once you go into your appointment you will be asked to undress and the masseuse will drape cloth over your body to cover strategic areas. He or she will then ask you what type of essential oil you would like used during your session. When choosing from the different massage oils, you should pick one that you like regardless of what the recommended uses are. Next on the agenda is for the masseuse to inform you about the types of massages you can have, such as a sports massage, a therapeutic massage, or maybe a Swedish massage.

There are a few massage techniques that seem to be more popular than others. These massage techniques are: Shiatsu massage, Swedish massage, Stone massage, and a sports massage. Each technique employs different hand pressure, working the muscle differently and may use different types of hand movements. The first three types can be found in most spas and resorts, whereas the sports massage is generally used by physical therapists and massage therapists working with athletes who have strained their muscles during their sport or have become injured.

A stone massage is very interesting in that hot rocks, not hot enough to burn the skin, are placed in different areas along your body. The heat and pressure from the stones seep into the muscles causing them to relax. This type, combined with other techniques, can give you a total bodywork massage that will leave you very relaxed and ready to tackle any other challenges that may come your way.

Massages and the essential oils used during the session can sometimes have a side effect. During a massage, toxins are released from the tense muscles. As well, sometimes the massage can do more harm than good if you are not use to a certain pressure and massage technique. You need to be aware of both issues and of the potential problems. Do not have the therapist press too hard during the massage. Drink plenty of water afterwards to help flush the toxins from your system. If you follow these two steps, then you can help head off any unwanted side effects.

aromatherapy and essential oils

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • Bumpzee
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Furl
  • Mixx
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google

A Basket of Aromatherapy Candles

Wednesday, June 25th, 2008

A Basket of Aromatherapy Candles

There is always some occasion that pops up and you need a gift for someone. It may be a bridal shower, a baby shower, a birthday or a wedding. It could even be a friend that has just purchased or moved into a new home. Whatever the occasion calls for, you can be guaranteed that your gift will be a smashing success. What will you be giving to that special someone? You will be giving them a basket of aromatherapy candles.

Do not make the mistake of making aromatherapy candles with the wrong type of essential oil. The concentration level of the oil will differ depending on the intended use. The oil used for candles is not the same strength as the one used in body lotions. Be careful when it comes time to make, buy or use an aromatherapy candle. You want to create a pleasant mood.

An aromatherapy candle makes a great centerpiece for a basket. You can take a decorative basket and fill it with paper tissue colored especially for whatever occasion you are celebrating. Place an aromatherapy candle in the center. As great additions, you can include aromatherapy essential oils for fragrance burners in the same scent as the candle, or choose another one, as well as some body lotions in different fragrances. If the recipient is crafty, then aromatherapy books explaining how to make their own massage oils might be a good choice.

Okay, so a basket filled with rose candles and rose scented body lotions is not going to go over very well with a man, but that does not mean that there aren’t other scents that will work. You could try sandalwood or neroli for a soothing scent that will appease the male machismo. Vanilla is a common scent for candles and is neutral enough to be used in a man’s home. Of course you may want to skip the body lotions in case he gets offended. However, most men would love a body massage, so perhaps tucking a gift certificate into the basket for massage services would be appreciated.

There you have it. A great gift made around aromatherapy candles that not only will be a hit with the recipient but will also have his or her house smelling wonderful. You could take the gift a step further and add in some bath salts so the person can enjoy an aromatherapy bath. It could be such a hit that you will wind up being sought after for your remarkable gift basket skills, and you never have to tell them where you got the idea.

What Aromatherapy Essential Oil Does What

A professional body massage goes much smoother if you know what you are getting into before you actually get there. You should have a general idea of what kinds of scents are most appealing to you. Before you know it you are being rubbed down with aromatherapy essential oils by your masseuse and in heaven. But the massage ends and you are left feeling empty. Well, don’t let the feeling end. Go and buy yourself some oils yourself so that you can have that same stimulation in the comfort of your own home.

There are two types of classification for aromatherapy essential oils. The first is cost and the second is the effect given by that oil. Low cost oils are those that can be created cheaply because the flower or herb is plentiful. These include lavender and peppermint. High cost oils would be jasmine and sandalwood since the flowers are harder to obtain. You can break down the classification farther by detailing the effect. Lavender would be a relaxing and calming scent, whereas peppermint is said to energize.

Now for a bit of essential information about a few of the more common oils and scented body lotions and what they can do for you. Lavender is widely known as a fragrance that relaxes. Peppermint is known to stimulate the senses. Jasmine is known for its relaxing, romantic scent. Lemon is an essential oil that is considered to be energizing and cheering. The list goes on and on for the different flowers and herbs that are used to make essential oils. There is everything from rose petals to vanilla beans that can be used to create a fantastic blend of an essential oil to delight the senses. Always go with a fragrance that you like rather than one that is recommended. It stands to reason that scents that appeal to you will have more effect than scents that, though they are touted for a particular use, will make you enjoy the experience less.

Aromatherapy essential oils can be made at home if you know the correct process. You can also buy them in some craft stores or order them online. If you are making your own blend of oils for use in massage oils or body lotions, then you will want to ensure that you are using the correct type of oil. Some oils are actually synthetically produced. Your goal should be to keep it as natural and close to nature’s oils as possible.

World of Aromatherapy

Many people find themselves stressed out during the day. It could be financial situations, home arguments or work place pressures placed on you. You do not have to pop a pill though. There are ways to reduce your stress without turning to medication. Why not give aromatherapy a try? It may be a new word but the concept has been around for thousands of years. Certain scents can help you relax and other scents can energize you and help you get through whatever situation is bothering you. It is a great homeopathic remedy and you can discover the wonderful scents by clicking here:

Copy and paste your first affiliate link here

aromatherapy oil

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • Bumpzee
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Furl
  • Mixx
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google