Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

What is Aromatherapy?

womansmellingoils Aromatherapy has come to mean many different things to different people. Today, people call anything from using scented soap to adding a drop of basil to their salad dressing, "aromatherapy." Traditionally, it means the inhalation of plant oils, called essential oils, for improved physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The main component of aromatherapy is the use of essential oils. Essential oils are the pure essence of a plant — often referred to as nature's living energy. Quality essential oils can provide both psychological and physical benefits when used correctly. Essential oils can be used on their own for aromatherapy or with complementary natural ingredients, such as vegetable or other carrier oils.

Aromatherapy for Health and Wellness

There are many ways to utilize the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Aromatherapy is only one of them. It's so popular because it's very effective, easy to use, and smells so nice.

But for the therapeutic benefits of essential oils to be effective, it's vital that only pure, undiluted essential oils are used. Lower-priced, synthetic, perfume-grade products lack the necessary levels of beneficial constituents and offer little or no positive effect.

Many people hear that aromatherapy is a great way to relax and beat stress, or can help with a health and wellness issue. So, they buy the cheapest aromatherapy oil they can find – usually from a nearby health food store or online. But after trying it, they are very disappointed.

Is that because aromatherapy is ineffective? Not at all. The thing is, they did not understand that the secret lies in the quality of the essential oil. You wouldn't expect to buy filet mignon for the price of ground beef, would you? Of course not! Everyone knows that filet mignon is a prime cut that's quite a bit more expensive than ground beef.

It's the same with essential oils. A truly high-quality essential oil is "a cut above" the rest. It's in a different category than the usual, found at most health food stores and online aromatherapy websites.

The highest-grade aromatherapy oils on the market today are manufactured by Young Living. Only by diffusing pure Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ (YLTG) essential oils can you improve your physical well-being, create a proper mood or state of mind, or get the desired effects from a massage.

The Science of Aromatherapy

When a YLTG essential oil is diffused, it is inhaled and processed through the olfactory system, which then sends the therapeutic benefits of the aroma to the brain. Depending on the specific constituents in the oil, you may begin to feel the release of negative emotions, the soothing of undue muscle tension, or experience the cleansing effect of the oils as your body eliminates toxins.

How to Use Essential Oils in Aromatherapy

There are two ways to use essential oils for aromatherapy: inhalation and topical application.

Inhalation

When inhaling oils for aromatherapy, here are some commonly used techniques:

Inhale essential oils directly—simply smell them straight from the bottle.

Diffuse essential oils using a device that disperses the oil into the air in a micro-fine vapor. Young Living offers a line of essential oil diffusers that effectively spreads the aromatic benefits of essential oils through the air without damaging their important constituents.

Use essential oils with a humidifier. Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil on a tissue or small cloth and place in front of the escaping steam. Avoid putting the oil directly into your humidifier, as it will float on top of the water instead of dispersing with the water vapor.

Pour hot water into a bowl and add a few drops of essential oil. Lower your face a few inches over the bowl and cover your head and the bowl with a towel, then breathe deeply and slowly.

Topical Application

Essential oils can be applied directly to the skin. Be sure to read the label before using oils topically, as some oils must be first diluted with a carrier oil — like Young Living's V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex — prior to use.

Key areas for topical application are:

Crown of head
Temples
Behind ears
Neck
Upper back
Abdomen
Over vital organs
Soles and tops of feet
Ankles

Steps for topical application are:

Place 2–3 drops of oil in the palm of your hand or directly on the desired area.

If placing oil in your hand, rub palms together in a circular motion and then massage oil onto the desired point of application. If applying directly to the desired area, massage the oil into your skin using a circular motion. Repeat as desired.

Note: Essential oils are very potent and some may be irritating to the skin. If irritation occurs, immediately apply a carrier oil or pure vegetable oil to the area to dilute. Please read label direction for each individual oil before using.

Most Popular Young Living Aromatherapy Products:

Abundance™:

Believed to attract positive energy.