Let me step you into a different realm of mine.
The woo is not as strong as this title suggests. I simply love filling my home with beautiful smells and if I can influence the mood of everyone in the house by popping a few drops of oil in my diffuser (I will explain what that is later), hell yeah I am going to do it!
What is Aromatherapy?
The all-wise Wikipedia says…
Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aroma compounds for the purpose of altering one’s mood, cognitive, psychological or physical well-being.
How I use Aromatherapy
I have had an oil burner since high school. I would burn the crap out of little $2 ones from the local discount shop. Burning their cheap ass “fragrances”. There is one that I can still smell just thinking of it. Blurgh! That isn’t aromatherapy but it was my first introduction to oils.
Over the years since those toxic days, I have continued to use a tealight, aromatherapy burner with a step up to true essential oil blends. Actually my oil burner was nicer too. Last year I decided to go hardcore and bought myself a diffuser and I love it. I don’t need to worry about the kids knocking it over as there are no heated parts or flames. Plus I can leave it on and it has an automatic shut off when the water runs out so great for kids rooms.
Last year I decided to go a little more hardcore and bought myself a diffuser. I love it. I don’t need to worry about the kids knocking it over as there are no heated parts or flames. Plus I can leave it on and it has an automatic shut off when the water runs out so great for kids rooms.
But what is a diffuser? A diffuser vibrates water molecules, producing a fine, light-weight vapour (instead of heat) to disperse essential oils into the air.
Lively Living has a great selection of diffuser, catering to a range of different sized rooms and features. I have the Aroma-Bloom (in grey, above) which I purchased at my local health store but you can also pick them up online.
My girlfriend also introduced me to wearing blends to help immunity and general breathability. I have a collection of roller bottles which I picked up on eBay. I use them along the kids spines and pulse points, really anywhere depending on their “lick” factor. With Leni (12 months) I only put it on her back because she will most certainly try it out for taste!
I use a carrier oil, like Fractionated Coconut Oil and add a few drops of a protective or clearing blend which I will explain more below.
Note: Don’t ever apply essential oils directly onto your skin without a carrier oil. Just don’t. It can turn things into varying degrees of icky.
My favourite blends
If you are like me and are not wanting to spend a heap of money on individual oils, blends are definitely the way to go.
I have one for “pick me up”, one for “calm me down” and one for “don’t let me get the kids germs!”
You definitely don’t need a big collection. This is mine…
“Pick me up” – My latest love is the Lively Living Refresh blend. Anything with your citrus oils like Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon and Lemongrass or others like Palma Rosa, and Rose Geranium.
“Calm me down” – Before I had Leni last year I bought a couple of blends which are still on the go that I use to calm down the house. I have Perfect Potion Beautiful Baby Hush and Ameretat Bye Baby Blues. My blends include oils like Lavender, Sandalwood, and Chamomile for chill factor.
“Don’t let me get the kids germs!” – I actually have two in this category. I use doTerra Easy Air to help with stuffy noses and snot and then I have doTerra On Guard for everyone else that doesn’t have it. On Guard is great in the roller jars I mentioned above! Things like Eucalyptus, Clove Bud, Rosemary and Lemon Peel oils are great for this type of thing.
In my humble option blends create a nicer atmosphere than just one single oil. They can also hit a few more sensory triggers.
Before you use any essentials oils make sure they are safe for any medical conditions you may have. Also double check before you use if you are pregnant as some oils may do more harm than good. Peppermint is a definite no no!
Oh, and none of these are affiliate links. In case you were wondering.
So there you are. I hope it wasn’t too much woo for you. I use aromatherapy in the same way I use music. It is a mood changer in the house.
Leni has lots of icky greenies going on at the moment so there is alot of Easy Air blend in the diffuser and the rest of us are covered in On Guard.
Do you use aromatherapy in your home?
Do you just simply like the house smelling good?
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This is so timely! I’ve just attended an online Doterra party (online parties are so in right now!) and I think I could really get into these oils. I need Aromatherapy for Dummies and your words and pictures have explained everything perfectly! I’ve heard such great things about Easy Air – I think it might be my first purchase 🙂
It is so handy for stuffy heads! doTerra is expensive but it is quality. I have a friend who used to be a consultant. I have to get her to sign back up again. 😉
Do you know Louisa G – she’s my dealer! I bet she could be yours too!
Love love this… am completely obsessed with essential oils and have dropped some big dollars on all the oils and diffusers. But I don’t mind because I love them so and use them every single day and they just make me feel good!
On guard is one of my faves too, but lemon probably gets the most use, mixed with other oils in the diffuser to create lovely blends and also a single drop in my water bottle. (food grade one). I heard a great tip recently… pop a couple of drops on the shower floor (Lavender at night, something uplifting like peppermint or easy air in the morning) and with the hot water and steam… omg, its so so good! So many uses, I could go on all day! xx
PS. I also cringe at the crappy oils I used to burn as a teen/20 something! 😉
I haven’t heard the shower tip! Now maybe I do need some single oils. Do you have any favourite blends??
I love this post! It’s so timely for me. I studied a bit of essential oils when I was studying to be a naturopath. But I didn’t end up using them much as I turned to herbs or nutritionals instead. But trying to get kids to take herbal medicine is hard! So I’ve recently pulled out some old essential oils text books. I’ve heard very good things about doTerra.
It’s expensive but it is definitely quality.
Great info! I wish I was more into aromatherapy…I might need to look into a diffuser! My mum was a HUGE aromatherapy fan growing up so we pretty much always had some sort of scent floating around the house. xxx
Great post! I’ve just started to dabble in doTerra oils and am saving the dollars for the home essentials kit but I am definitely a fan of blends! doTerra breathe has been a saviour for me this week!!