Read these 12 Aromatherapy Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Alternative Health tips and hundreds of other topics.
Store bought items are easy to access but sometimes homemade health helpers give me a bit more peace of mind. That's because I know EXACTLY what the ingredients are. One that has come in handy around our hosehold is a homemade nasal inhaler, especially one designed to help clear a stuffy nose.
Just take 1/4 teaspoon of coarse salt and place in a small glass vial with a tight lid. Add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil and the salt will absorb the oil in a few moments. Shake to activate the mixture and then open the vial and inhale deeply to clear the nasal passages. This technique can be used with any essential oil like lavender for anxiety and peppermint for stimulation.
The antiseptic action of tea tree oil is thought to be 100 times more powerful than carbolic acid - but is not a danger to humans. Its amazing antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties have been used to successfully treat insect bites, cuts, scabies, candida, ringworm, sunburn, acne, athlete's foot, toothache, and the mouth infection pyorrhea. If irritation occurs with this oil stop use or try adding a few drops to about 1/8 cup distilled water or some primrose or vitamin E oil.
There are some excellent oil blends you can use for a soothing massage to benefit diabetic children's hands, legs, and feet. Blend - Geranium 10 drops, Ginger 10 drops, Cypress 10 drops - dilute in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and massage gently.
If congestion has your head pounding, slipping into a warm bath scented with 6 drops of eucalyptus oil, 6 drops of lavender oil or several tea bags of hops, can help ease your misery. The eucalyptus sooths your nasal passages - the lavender and hops help relax your aching muscles.
Troubled by bugs but hate bug sprays? Try mixing a cup of water with 10 drops eucyalptus oil, 10 drops of rosemary oil, 10 drops lavender oil, and 10 drops citronella oil. Shake it up and spray where you see bugs you want to evict. Don't spray this on on fabric or wall coverings without testing a small area first for possible discoloration.
If you suffer from periodic heart palpitations try adding a few drops of citrus oil (orange flower oil or neroli oil) to your bathwater. This has been found to frequently help ease palpitations.
If you love the outdoors but hate the bugs that live there, give this easy-to-make bug repellent a try.
Mix together in a small bottle:
1 part eucalyptus essential oil
3 parts citronella essential oil
1 part lavender
8 parts almond oil
Test a small amount on your skin to make sure there's no allergic reaction.
If you're suffering severe or persistent earache pain, you may have a perforated eardrum or infection - so get your condition diagnosed by a medical professional.
For mild, general earache discomfort, warm a teaspoon of olive oil and add 1 drop of lavender oil and 1 drop of chamomile oil. Blend well and soak a cotton ball in the mixture. Place in ear. A warm compress can also help aid in easing the discomfort.
Fungus is the cause of athlete's foot - so to combat it you need a strong anti-fungal. Combine 4 oz. aloe vera juice (to soothe) and 1/2 tsp. tea tree oil (the anti-fungal) and mix into a small spray bottle. Shake well, spray your feet and let air dry before putting on socks. Do this twice a day and keep it up for a month to insure the fungus is totally eradicated.
For strained and stressed muscles, mix 1/2 cup olive oil (or any carrier oil), 8 drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary essential oils, and 4 drops each cinnamon and clove essential oils. Shake gently, then rub into muscles. The peppermint and cinnamon act as the heating oils, while the rosemary serves as a muscle relaxant. The olive oil dilutes the essential oils so they won't cause skin irritation.
*Make sure to wash your hands after applying the oil because the mixture can cause eye irritation if you rub your eyes by accident.
Sinus headaches can be downright debilitating but one way I found to help ease them (when I can find the time) is to make a hot compress dampened by water that I have added a few drops of lavender, chamomile or peppermint to in a small bowl. I alternate between two washcloths, using one while the other is soaking in the hot, scented water. You can also obtain extra heat by wringing the cloth out and microwaving it for about 10 seconds - but test it before applying to the face to avoid burns. The soothing aroma is very relaxing and the heat helps churn up circulation to help ease the pressure.
According to the book, "The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy," two full body massages are recommended daily to help prevent circulatory complications caused by diabetes.
Guru Spotlight |
Ray Lokar |