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Practical Aromatherapy: Home Made Therapeutic Aroma Mists

By: Michael Sooth

Natural aromatic oils are a feast for our senses, and their individual properties work their magic in a holistic way on the health of our mind, spirit, and psyche. As a preventative medicine, aromatherapy is unsurpassed; it is useful in balancing psychological health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue. The aromatic use of essential oils is also wonderful for overall mood enhancement, stress reduction and even sleep enhancement. And one of the most simple and effective means of using essential oils is in an aromatherapy pray. These easily made 'mists' are a wonderful way to introduce the natural healing effects of essential oils to your family, and create a high-vibration atmosphere in your home.

Making your own aroma-mists is a great summertime activity to do on your own, or with friends and family. Allowing each person that will use the mists to choose their own scents maximizes the therapeutic benefits of their creations. Generally, the aromas that most appeal to an individual produce the most profound result, be it uplifting, calming or otherwise. If one doesn't like the scent, one is not likely to use the mist, or may be put off, rather than supported by its aromatic actions. Also, getting others involved will bring them a new awareness of natural health and healing in a fun way that doesn't appear like they're taking medicine. As a parent, this can be especially appealing as it may even draw your children into a lifestyle of natural health from an early age.

Just a few easily found items are required - 1 or 2 ounce dark glass bottles with pump spray tops are great containers. The dark color helps preserve the essential oils, and their small size makes them relatively durable, easily handled, and portable. An eye-dropper makes it easy to dispense the oils drop by drop (as the recipes call for 'drops' of each essential oil). Plastic ones are most appropriate if children are involved, as the droppers tend to be somewhat delicate. As for the 'carrier' of the essential oils, filtered or spring water is all you need; if you'd like to store the blends for longer than a couple of months, use 1/5th Witch Hazel (available at most natural foods stores and online) and 4/5ths water.

Then there's the essential oils - there are over a hundred to choose from, though you can start with just one or two of the more common ones and still make wonderful, effective formulas. It is important, however, to find the highest quality oils you can. You'll find that even with the much-used Lavender essential oil, the aromas will vary considerably from one to the next. They may cost a little more, but are generally worth it, especially as you'll only need a few drops of each oil to get started. The nicer the oil you start with, the nicer the resulting aroma-mist you'll create. And the nicer mists will get used more often, with bigger smiles on everyone's faces from the brilliant aromas from finely-crafted oils.

If you'll be making blends with or for children, you'll also want to consider safety. We'll note here of any safety concerns with these recipes, but if you venture to make your own, check in to the safety of the particular oils you'll be using. Flower oils like Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood and Rose are safe and non-irritating. Citrus oils, with their uplifting aromas are safe in the quantities described, though they should not be applied to the skin frequently or in significant amounts. Evergreen oils like Pine, Spruce and Juniper similarly may cause skin irritation if overly sprayed on the skin. Finally, very pungent oils like Peppermint, Clove and especially Cinnamon may cause irritation if inhaled in even moderate quantities, and it is these oils you'll want to keep from having little children handle if they are making blends with you. In general, with the dilutions used in aromatherapy sprays, you should be safe with misting a room for a pleasant aroma; As a rule, do not spray any essential oils near the eyes or on the face.

On to making the sprays! Creating aromatherapy sprays is very simple - just fill your bottles up most of the way with water or your Witch Hazel extract and water (1 part Witch Hazel to 4 parts water), then add your essential oils by counting the drops. Put the cap on and shake vigorously for several seconds. The oil and water will naturally tend to separate, somewhat like a salad dressing - shaking a lot when first made to disperse the oils well will help keep the oils and water mixed. You'll then just want to give a couple shakes just before spraying each time. For the simplest formulas, you can use 4 to 16 drops of any single essential oil in each ounce of water. Suggested oils are Lavender, Rose Geranium, Spruce, Pine, Tangerine and Sweet Orange. Always, if using with younger children, use smaller amounts of essential oil.

If you'd like to make something a little more fancy for children and even infants, try two drops each of Lavender and Roman Chamomile in pure water. Both these oils are broadly appealing, and have very soothing effects on children. This recipe might even be used regularly as a sleep aid at night or at nap time.

For a more lively, uplifting aromatic, mix together your favorite citrus scents. Essential oils are pressed from all the citrus fruits - you'll find orange, lemon, lime, tangerine and grapefruit readily available. The aromas mix well together, and it is easy to adjust their ratios to your liking. Mandarin, a member of the tangerine family, has a certain soothing effect unique to this fruit, and again, works particularly well with children.

Perhaps the most effective 'space clearing' scents are those from the needles and twigs of evergreen trees: Pine, Spruce and Balsam Fir. Like the citrus oils, these all blend nicely together; you can try a blend of them with equal amounts of each, and/or vary their amounts to suit your preference. Juniper can be added in small amounts for an extra touch. These oils are also naturally uplifting, yet they bring a sense of calm and 'earthiness' as well.

Other excellent choices are Ylang Ylang (#1 for a more 'mature' scent, or 'complete' for a sweeter one), Jasmine Sambac, or even Patchouli if you're feeling a little more bold. Eucalyptus may be particularly effective for musty spaces, and is often used in spas for its invigorating aroma. Whatever oils you choose, you can always mix together very small amounts, counting the drops, until you're sure you like the blend, then add larger amounts to your spray mixture. You can even create a different blend for every room in your home. And by using pure essential oils, you'll be creating natural aromatics that have been used for centuries, with positive emotional, physical and spiritual health benefits for you and your family.

Article Source: http://www.thecaymanhost.com/articles

The author, manager of The Ananda Apothecary, regularly employs essential oils, essential oil blends and flower essences in his personal and professional natural wellness practice.

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