3 Methods for Enjoying Aromatherapy at Home

Aromatherapy at Home

Essential oils have so many benefits to our health and wellbeing, and there are numerous ways of incorporating them into our home lives. Whether you want to clean the air in your home, induce relaxation after a long day, or recover from a cold, here are some of the best ways to use essential oils at home:

1. Use a Diffuser

Nebulizing diffusers are often considered the most powerful type of diffusers. They do not need water or heat to get the essential oil in to the air and they work by using an atomizer to create fine, airborne particles of essential oils and blowing them in to the air. They keep a near-continuous stream of essential oils in the air.

Ultrasonic diffusers work in a similar way to nebulizing diffusers by creating a fine mist. The difference is that ultrasonic diffusers use water and essential oils to create a cool mist of water/oils that releases in to the air. They double as a humidifier, so they are beneficial in winter, but they don’t put out as strong of a concentration of essential oils since they also use water.

2. Herbal Steam Inhalation

Great for when your sinuses are feeling stuffed up, a steam inhalation is one of the best ways to get the most out of the antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiinflammatory benefits of essential oils. Simply warm up some water on the stove until steam begins to rise. Turn off the stove and let the water cool down just a bit, add 3-5 drops of essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Rosemary, or Lavender to the water. Place your face a safe distance from the hot water but close enough to inhale the steam, and cover your head and the pot with a towel to keep the steam from dispersing away from your face. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. You'll begin to feel your sinuses clearing out within a few minutes.

Bonus: You can also use this method to brighten your complexion. Check out our post on Herbal Facial Steams for beauty here.

3. Add Oils to the Bath

After a long day, or when your muscles are feeling sore, draw a bath and add a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil, which both are helpful for relieving tension, whether it be mental or muscular tension. The warm water will help loosen up your muscles, and your pores will open up allowing for the oils to be more effectively absorbed into the skin and tissues. Add a carrier oil such as olive oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil for some extra moisturizing.