An Easy Guide to a Blissful Bath
Initially though the world of aromatherapy may appear to be dizzying, yet it is very simple to master the formulation of your own aromatherapy bath recipes. All you need is a basic knowledge of how to go about mixing the ingredients, and of course, an idea of what scent creates what effect on your body systems. And with a little bit of experimentation, you will soon be able to cure most of those body aches, migraines, even PMS related symptoms with the help of just a long, soaking, scented luxury bath!
Aromatherapy for Beginners:
Aromatherapy is made up of certain plant-derivates, called essential oils. Each oil has a particular scent associated with it, which, when absorbed in our body through inhalation, bath or massage, evoke certain responses from our body mechanisms. They may act as a relaxant or a mood lifter. They may induce a sensuous effect or put you to sleep! If you are a totally new entrant in this field, you need to know some basic “Do”s and “Don’t”s related with aromatherapy bath recipes.
– First, always use a clean glass, porcelain or aluminum bottle for mixing the essential oils. Never use plastic as the oils react to plastic.
– Second, the essential oils are highly concentrated, so you need to use very little of those oils diluted with some base oil, known as carrier oil, like sweet almond, jojoba, olive or coconut.
– Direct contact of the essential oils can cause skin irritation.
– All the essential oils are not suitable for children. So you must double check the ingredients before using one of the aromatherapy bath recipes on kids.
– These oils are highly volatile and sensitive to ultra-violet radiations. So they should be kept in tightly closed containers, in cool, dark place.
Aromatherapy in Bath:
Now that you have got the basics in place, let’s start on creating your own first aromatherapy bath recipes!
– A simple rule to follow is: mix 15-30 drops of essential oils in one ounce of the carrier oil. If you are using more than one essential oil, you still need to stick to that total.
– A Vitamin E based carrier oil, although a bit expensive, can help retain the aromas lingering on the surface of the water for longer, before the smells evaporate.
– Add 1-2 teaspoon of the blended recipe to your bath water, just before you step into the bath.
Some Useful Aromatherapy Bath Recipes:
– Mix 7 drops of Neroli with a tablespoon of the base oil or 3 tablespoons of honey, to give yourself a warm luxurious bath during those pregnancy blues. Neroli, though expensive, is a great anti-depressant.
– If you need a disinfecting bath, try using tea tree combined with orange or lemon. Use very little of the citrus oil, as it can be harsh on the skin.
– Try using 2-3 drops of peppermint in 1 teaspoon carrier oil on those draining summer days. Peppermint is an excellent stimulant, good for headaches, nausea, achy joints and indigestion. But it must be avoided during pregnancy or when using homeopathy medicines.
These are just a few of the innumerable recipes you can make by mixing and matching various different scents. Once you start exploring the world of aromatherapy, you will soon find that there is a whole new universe waiting for you out there. So just start experimenting with your aromatherapy bath recipes!
The Author:
Stephanie Young