How to use Essential Oils (Part I - Inhalations)
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Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for medicinal and health purposes. It uses range from aromatherapy, household cleaning products, personal beauty care and natural medicine treatments.
The particles in essential oils come from distilling or extracting the different parts of plants, including the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, resin and peels.
Essential oil benefits come from their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These healing oils are rapidly growing in popularity because they act as natural medicine without any side effects.
In this post I will talk about many different uses of Essential Oils, maybe the most common ones yet medicinal with lots of benefits.
Inhalations
Is the use of essential oils on hot compress, using diffusers, or onto hot water for inhalation. Standard dose is 10 drops depending on the strength of the herb / plant / flower used; some use 3, 5 or 7 drops. Some essential oils to consider include: Eucalyptus sp. (either E. globulus or E. radiata), Thyme ct. linalol (Thymus vulgaris), Lemon (Citrus limon), and Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). Cover your head with a towel and breathe through the nose. Keep eyes closed!
Steam inhalations are indicated for:
- Congestion in upper respiratory tract (cold or flu)
- Sinus infection or sinusitis
- Enhancing respiratory function
- Being a natural expectorant (benefits the lungs and throat by acting like an effective natural expectorant)
- Improved circulation providing relief from headaches and migraines
- Pore cleansing and rejuvenation
- Using with Essential Oils
Many find that aromatherapy (inhalation of essential oils) provides more relief than steam alone. To alleviate symptoms, essential oils may be added to the steaming water. These are generally used sparingly, with only two to three drops being used at a time, of course, this depending on the strength of the essential oil used.
Here’s a list of herbs / plants you can use to battle a particular ailment:
- For upper respiratory and sinus congestion: Peppermint and/or eucalyptus
- For headaches: Chamomile and/or lavender
- For relaxation: Chamomile, lavender and/or lemongrass
- For oily skin: Chamomile, lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, anise, and/or fennel
- For dry skin: Fennel, rosemary, sea buckthorn, peppermint and/or comfrey
- For breathing difficulties: Eucalyptus, Pine
- For bronchitis: Basil, Clove, Eucalyptus, Rosemary
- For cold: Ginger, Bay, Cloves, Rosemary
- For cough: Cardamom, Peppermint, Rosemary
- For inflamed sinuses: Basil, Tea tree, Eucalyptus, Peppermint
I found this video that explain some uses of essential oils, some of them are fascinating (I didn't know you can add a drop of essential oil to your drinking water!). This video is from the Company Young Living, however, you can use any essential oil to achieve what you are looking for. Of course, some essential oils are made for burning only (ex. the Body Shop), so please be careful and read the instructions. I would recommend to visit organic shops or healthy food shops like Holland & Barrett.
This is article was shared by Rebecca from the TML Team
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