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aromamagic
| Aromatherapy
expert Blossom Kocchar explains the various ways you can use essential
oils on your body.
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What
is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy
is a holistic herbal treatment designed to help cure or heal both
body and mind by the correct use of essential oils obtained from
plants. A pleasing, natural aroma can have a positive psychological
effect on the body. Essential oils, which are the pure "essence"
of a plant, have been found to provide both psychological and physical
benefits when used correctly.
Perfume oils also known as fragrance oils or "fragrances" are not
the same as essential oils. Perfume oils and fragrances contain
unnatural chemicals and do not provide the therapeutic benefits
of essential oils.
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Using
Aromatherapy
There are various ways you can use essential oils on your body.
You can chose a way based on your preferences and mood. |
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Bath Oils |
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Oils
Good for Bath and Massage
- Relaxing
- Cypress/ Rose
- Tonic
- Basil/ Rosemary
- Refreshing
- Lavender/ Lemon
- Aphrodisiac
- Jasmine/ Sandalwood
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Add five to ten drops of oil to your bath just before getting in.
As soon as you have put the oil in the bath, swish the water gently
with your hand so that the oil forms a film on top. A thin film
of oil will envelop your body when you slip into your bath and will
penetrate your skin and diffuse into the tissues. Gently scrub your
body with a rough towel or a natural scrubber to absorb the oil.
As you get out of the bath, a small amount of oil will remain on
your skin. Towel drying does not remove all the essence, so the
skin is left lightly perfumed.
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Massage Oils |
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ten drops of essential oil to 20 ml. of almond oil. When massaged
into the body, the oil is completely absorbed by the skin within 30
minutes to two hours. The best time to use these aromatic massage
oils is after a bath - especially if you have a dry skin - because
the oil counteracts the drying effects of soap.
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Vaporisation |
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Put
a few drops of essential oil on a source of heat. This could be
a light bulb, a radiator or a small bowl of hot water. The oil evaporates
and aromatises the air.
Oils used as air fresheners: lavender,
lemon grass, Lemon, Geranium, Pine
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Inhalation |
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six to eight drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water. The water
should not be too hot otherwise the oil vapours will become too strong
to inhale. Lean over about nine inches away from the water, enclosing
your head and the bowl with a towel and let the steam unclog your
pores.
Oils recommended for inhalation: Eucalyptus,
benzoin, Pine |
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Compresses |
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six to ten drops of essential oil to half a pint of water. Use ice
water for cold compresses and boiling water for hot compresses. Add
the essential oil after water has been poured into a container. Soak
a small towel or a piece of linen in the water. Wring it out and place
over area to be treated. |
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Oils
Good for Bath and Massage
- Bruises
- Lavender
- Headaches
- Lavender/ Peppermint
- Sprains
- Peppermint
- Boils
- Sandalwood
- Cystitis
- Cedar wood, sandalwood
- Painful
Menstruation - Rose, Lavender
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