Natural aromatic oils are a feast for our senses, and their individual properties work their magic in a holistic way on the health of our mind, spirit, and psyche. As a preventative medicine, aromatherapy is unsurpassed; it is useful in balancing psychological health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue. The aromatic use of essential oils is also wonderful for overall mood enhancement, stress reduction and even sleep enhancement. And one of the most simple and effective means of using essential oils is in an aromatherapy pray. These easily made 'mists' are a wonderful way to introduce the natural healing effects of essential oils to your family, and create a high-vibration atmosphere in your home.
This little project is something you can do alone, or with older children in the family. Getting your loved ones involved will have two important benefits: First, they're likely to let you know which scents appeal to them the most. Often in aromatherapy, it is the scents we are most fond of that can have the strongest supporting effects for emotional health. Second, they're also more likely to use and enjoy the oils they've had a part in making. This not only will give them greater satisfaction with the sprays, but will likely open their eyes and minds a little bit more to the world of natural health and wellness - certainly an area where getting started young can have life-long benefits.
Just a few easily found items are required - 1 or 2 ounce dark glass bottles with pump spray tops are great containers. The dark color helps preserve the essential oils, and their small size makes them relatively durable, easily handled, and portable. An eye-dropper makes it easy to dispense the oils drop by drop (as the recipes call for 'drops' of each essential oil). Plastic ones are most appropriate if children are involved, as the droppers tend to be somewhat delicate. As for the 'carrier' of the essential oils, filtered or spring water is all you need; if you'd like to store the blends for longer than a couple of months, use 1/5th Witch Hazel (available at most natural foods stores and online) and 4/5ths water.
Then there's the essential oils - there are over a hundred to choose from, though you can start with just one or two of the more common ones and still make wonderful, effective formulas. It is important, however, to find the highest quality oils you can. You'll find that even with the much-used Lavender essential oil, the aromas will vary considerably from one to the next. They may cost a little more, but are generally worth it, especially as you'll only need a few drops of each oil to get started. The nicer the oil you start with, the nicer the resulting aroma-mist you'll create. And the nicer mists will get used more often, with bigger smiles on everyone's faces from the brilliant aromas from finely-crafted oils.
While the most of the commonly used essential oils will be very safe in this application, if children will be handling the pure essential oils, safety should be considered. The 'flowery' oils like Lavender and Chamomile are quite safe, as are more exotic scents such as Bulgarian Rose and Indian Sandalwood. Citrus oils and the 'needle' oils from evergreen trees can be sensitizing; direct application to the skin is not recommended - and if you select very pungent oils, particularly Cinnamon , Clove or Peppermint, application to the skin should be avoided altogether, and generally kept away from the younger ones. For everyone's safety, just instruct your formulators to not get any oil on them, and to never spray the mists on their bodies, nor near anyone else's eyes or face. If you have any questions or concerns about a particular oil, there are many resources available on the internet or in books about aromatherapy.
On to making the sprays! Creating aromatherapy sprays is very simple - just fill your bottles up most of the way with water or your Witch Hazel extract and water (1 part Witch Hazel to 4 parts water), then add your essential oils by counting the drops. Put the cap on and shake vigorously for several seconds. The oil and water will naturally tend to separate, somewhat like a salad dressing - shaking a lot when first made to disperse the oils well will help keep the oils and water mixed. You'll then just want to give a couple shakes just before spraying each time. For the simplest formulas, you can use 4 to 16 drops of any single essential oil in each ounce of water. Suggested oils are Lavender, Rose Geranium, Spruce, Pine, Tangerine and Sweet Orange. Always, if using with younger children, use smaller amounts of essential oil.
If you'd like to make something a little more fancy for children and even infants, try two drops each of Lavender and Roman Chamomile in pure water. Both these oils are broadly appealing, and have very soothing effects on children. This recipe might even be used regularly as a sleep aid at night or at nap time.
Looking for an aroma to brighten everyone's day? Try one or more of the oils cold-pressed from the peels of citrus fruits: Sweet Orange, Lemon, Lime, and Bergamot have a perky 'sweet-tart' aroma. The oils from Tangerine and Red Mandarin are somewhat sweeter, being even more appealing to kids. All these oils will mix well together too; you can pick two or more and create a new fruit flavor! These oils are all considered natural anti-depressants in aromatherapy, and will lighten the atmosphere in any home.
Perhaps the most effective 'space clearing' scents are those from the needles and twigs of evergreen trees: Pine, Spruce and Balsam Fir. Like the citrus oils, these all blend nicely together; you can try a blend of them with equal amounts of each, and/or vary their amounts to suit your preference. Juniper can be added in small amounts for an extra touch. These oils are also naturally uplifting, yet they bring a sense of calm and 'earthiness' as well.
Whatever oils you choose, you can always mix together very small amounts, counting the drops, until you're sure you like the blend, then add larger amounts to your spray mixture. You can even create a different blend for every room in your home. And by using pure essential oils, you'll be creating natural aromatics that have been used for centuries, with positive emotional, physical and spiritual health benefits for you and your family.
About the Author:
The author has made available reports on specific anti-microbials such as tea tree essential oil and other therapeutic aromatics.
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