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Use essential oils as room vaporisers and spray, or simply inhale, it will soothe your mind and nerves
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THE BEAUTY market is full of essential oils and one may wonder what they are all about. Here are some facts on use of these oils.
When you breathe in the aroma of an essential oil, it affects you in many ways. Firstly, the smell itself is instantly recorded in the limbie area of the brain, where we also store memories and emotions. This is why a whiff of antiseptic can make you think of being in hospital or the smell of lavender makes you think of cuddling your grandmother, as she used it as a perfume. This is the reason why you either love or hate a particular smell.
Secondly, the miniscule chemical elements that make up each molecule of essential oil are absorbed through the nasal membranes and can, for instance relax the nervous system, which makes you more alert or change your mood. Although researchers still don't understand how this happens, they have found physical proof that it does. They know for instance that inhaling a relaxing smell causes an immediate reduction in blood pressure and slows heartbeat.
Both these facts tell us that inhaling essential oil is quick, simple and effective way of enjoying their therapeutic benefits.
How to use
Here is a guide on how to prepare and use essential oils for inhalation.
Method: Inhale the oils with warm steam in a small space to get maximum benefit in minimum time. Inhalation is ideal for treating cold or for treating your skin to a steam facial.
Pour one litre of boiling water in a heat-retaining bowl and put five drops of essential oil. Bend forward over the bowl and drape a large towel over your head to trap the evaporating oils and steam. Inhale the vapours for a few minutes, and then add a little more boiling water to evaporate off any remaining essential oil.
If you are hard-pressed for time, you can inhale undiluted essential oils from a tissue or a handkerchief, but in moderation. Two drops of oil tipped directly onto the fabric is enough to last for several hours. Place it on your pillow at night or in your breast pocket or bra during the day.
Best oils for inhalation
Chamomile (for sleeplessness)
Eucalyptus (chest/nasal congestion)
Frankincense (depression, anxiety)
Myrrh (sore throat, coughs)
Peppermint (energy, concentration)
Room vaporisers
You can use essential oil burners, which have a saucer fixed above a stand that holds a candle. Fill the saucers with hot water; add up to 8 drops of essential oil and light the candle to keep the water hot enough to make the oil evaporate. This fills the room with the scent quickly. But place the burner on a steady, safe surface, out of reach of children and pets. You will have to top up with water and oil every three to four hours.
If you are not able to get an oil burner, you can make your own version by putting a saucer of hot water on top of a central heating radiation. However, the evaporation is not as fast as when you heat a candle.
You can also buy metal or compressed candle rings or better still use used anti-mosquito mats. Place these on top of an ordinary light bulb often adding 4-5 drops of essential oil. This method is excellent and scents a room quickly and almost as potently as the burners.
Electronic diffusers (known as nebulisers) are also useful. The essential oils can be used without being heated.
It is best to use only a single essential oil to scent a room, as in a combination individual aromas do not come through well. However, you can change oils everyday for variety sake.
Best oils for room vapourisers
Bergamot (uplifting, refreshing, deodorising)
Eucalyptus (chest nasal congestion, mental alertness)
Geranium (energising yet relaxing)
Jasmine (euphoria, confidence)
Lavender (tension, tired nerves)
Mandarin (sleeplessness, calming)
Neroli (soothing, sensual)
Peppermint (energy, alertness)
Sandalwood (relaxing, romantic)
Ylang-Ylang (hypnotic, sensually uplifting)
Make your own room spray
Method
For a natural, non-aerosol and highly aromatic air freshner, add 10 drops of essential oil to half a litre of water in a pump (the kind used for watering house plants). Shake the mixture well before pumping. Spray 4-5 into the air to deodorise a room.
Best oils for freshening
Lavender (to kill airborne germs)
Lemon (air freshener for toilet)
Peppermint (to remove smell of cigarette smoke)
Best combinations
* Three drops each of pine, rosemary and lavender (excellent for disinfecting, for bathrooms and bins).
* Five drops each of lemon and lime (deodorising wardrobes, cupboards and bathrooms)
Potpourri
You can make your own potpourri with essential oils at home.
Method - Mix dried leaves, flowers and herbs from your garden (geranium, rose, lavender, citrus etc.) with spices (cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg etc.) Add a little talcum powder and your favourite essential oil. The basic mix should contain 6 cups of dried plants, 2 tablespoons of talcum powder and 12 drops of your favourite essential oil. Store in an airtight container. Shake and invert it daily for two weeks until aromas have been absorbed by the talc and dried materials. Then place it in an open bowl or jar to fragrant your room. Refresh when you need by adding a few more drops of essential oil.
Queries answered
* Sapna from Madurai wants to know which essential oils to avoid if one has a sensitive skin.
* Sapna, if you are prone to allergies and have a sensitive skin, it is advisable to use all essential oil in the lowest recommended dilutions — 1 drop to 1 tsp of vegetable or carrier oil for massage and no more than 2 drops in the bath.
Caution - Avoid using Cinnamon and clove oil on the skin directly or for steam inhalation as they can cause skin irritation. Use in low dilution as room scents only.
LILY MADHOK
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