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The use of various essential oils made of liquid plant material and other aromatic substances for healing of the mind and body is called aromatherapy. The word was coined first by French perfumer Ren

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Aromatherapy is one of the best ways to relax yourself, whether through burning oils to accompany meditation, or using it them in a wonderful massage. However, we must be careful with using essential oils as the wrong amount or the wrong mixture can bring about some serious side effects.

Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids used in aromatherapy that can be harmful if not used carefully. However, including aromatherapy and massage in your lifestyle shouldn’t really cause undue paranoia or worry. The important thing to remember is to always treat essential oils as medicines. Follow the suggestions given below as well so you can be on your way to calmly and safely enjoying the numerous benefits that aromatherapy offers.

The safety guidelines that you are about to read are not a complete reference for the proper use of essential aromatherapy oils. Use common sense; when in doubt about the oils used on you, always consult a trained aromatherapy practitioner or a physician.

1. Essential oils are flammable. When lighting a burner to heat scented oils, do not leave the room unless the flame is put out. Always keep your burners at a safe distance from curtains, paper and alcoholic substances.

2. Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly on the skin. Some oils are exempted from this; however, only use undiluted oils if you have attained a significant education and sufficient experience with them. Lavender and tea tree oils are cited by a large number of aromatherapy practitioners as being oils that can be safely used undiluted however this should only be done very rarely as some individuals can be severely sensitive. So to be safe, the rule of thumb is to avoid use any undiluted essential oil.

3. Not all essential oils can be used for aromatherapy. Herbal oils from bitter almond, camphor, pennyroyal, onion, wintergreen, horseradish and sassafras are some that should only be used by specially qualified aromatherapy practitioners. Even most practitioners do not use them.

4. With oils, less IS More. Follow directions in home kits. Usually, the smallest amount of essential oils required will get the job done. If the label says use only a drop, for example, don’t use more.

5. Children should never use essential oils without the presence of an adult who is knowledgeable about their use. Children are often attracted to essential oils because of their wonderful smells. Some oils smell like food (like vanilla) and citrus oils can smell like something safe to drink. Always keep essential oils away from the reach or children. Again, remember to treat these oils like medicines that are poison in ignorant hands.

6. If you are pregnant, or suspect you are, it is safer to avoid essential oils. Asthma sufferers, as well as epileptics, should not use essential oils. People with other health conditions, such as allergies, should also consult a physician because some essential oils can cause sensitization or severe allergic reactions. If you are using a new oil for first time, do a skin patch first on a small area of skin, like the inner arm. Apply a small amount of the diluted essential oil (again, never use essential oils undiluted on the skin) on the inner arm and apply a bandage on it. Wait 24 hours and check if there is any form of skin reaction. Even if a common essential oil is not known to cause skin irritation, this step should not be overlooked. An oil may not irritate you, but it may still irritate someone else. It is important that you always keep that difference in mind.

7. Essential oils should not be swallowed or ingested. Essential oils should only be taken internally if you have received a detailed consultation and a prescription from a trained and qualified aromatherapy practitioner with the knowledge of your physician.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Aromatherapy

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“The soul of man in love is full of perfumes and sweet odours”. Plutarch.

In our times, all the finest produce of the whole world is usually available to us from our local stores. We live with affluence beyond any previously known era in history which allows us choices regarding what were once luxury items. This applies particularly to our use of perfume both as a means of sensory satisfaction as well as for more practical purposes. Perfume continues to provide a subject of fascination today.

There are many wonderful scents and perfumes available in toiletries and body perfumes. Essential oils provide us with perfumes which are entirely natural without chemical additives and which are healing as well as pleasant in their effect. Incense sticks provide a means of perfuming through fumes, which is where our word for perfume originally came from. And of course we have all the perfumed delights of nature to enjoy in our walks in the wild, in our enjoyment of our garden, or in the delicate scent of a rose.

In a variety of ways we seek to indulge our sense of olfaction as we continue to increase the use of perfumes in our lives.

Most gardeners include a variety of perfumed herbs and plants in their gardens.

We use scented oils to keep away flies and insects.

Although we no longer have to spread scented rushes on the floor to take away bad odours in the home, we still wish to use perfumed sprays in bathrooms and toilet areas.

We generally use scents to provide a pleasing atmosphere throughout the house and when preparing for dinner guests.

Oils from timber are favoured for application to existent furniture to help preserve it and also for scent.

Many burn incense whilst meditating.

Churches burn copious resins and oils in their ritual incense.

Physiotherapists, naturopaths and aromatherapists use perfumed massage oils on skin.

Therapists prescribe direct inhalation of essential oils to relieve symptoms of illness.

Vaporizers are essential in relieving respiratory problems.

Bath oils are used to provide a delightful way of relieving stress.

Scented pillows as favoured for sleep inducement.

Healing oils such as eucalyptus and peppermint are used as embrocation or as an inhalant in cases of bronchial and respiratory problems .

Essential oils can be diluted with almond oil for use as a safe underarm deodorants.

A drop can safely be smeared on a light globe to diffuse light scent

A few drops of a perfumed oil on a tissue can be placed in a paper bin - or even rubbish bin for a pleasing effect.

Essential oils such as rosemary can be diluted with olive oil and massaged into the scalp to perfume the hair when brushing.

Perfumed oil can be massaged into the feet before bed to aid relaxation.

These and many other ingenious ways are used in making practical use of perfume in modern lifestyles.

However, the most important to so many of us, is the use of body perfume. This popular interest in perfumes however seems to arise not only from a desire to seem attractive but because of the need to have expression of the personality through the quality of one’s personal body perfume and this requires patience and discrimination in selecting ‘your’ personal perfume for regular use. Selecting from the enormous range of commercial perfumes is a daunting task but there are many who enjoy the search. Selecting from the natural essential oil range is somewhat easier because it is limited compared with the sophisticated fashionable perfumes.

Discrimination is the first thing to cultivate, in order to fully benefit from the knowledge of perfumes and delight in them to the full. It is necessary to consciously develop your olfactory sense as a wine taster must do with the palate.

Always remember that certain artificially produced scents can be harmful when inhaled and some deodorizers actually work on the principle of deadening your sense of smell rather than trying to cancel the odour. All chemical products can have short or long term negative effects so the caution is repeated - use the natural essential oils and perfumes in preference to a product that uses chemicals in its production. The sense of smell is extremely delicate and can be seriously injured, as can the brain, by inhalation of the smell or vapours of toxic materials.

Some of the popular and delightful natural perfumes available as essential oils are Lavender, Sandalwood, Neroli, Lemon, Rose, Lemongrass, Ylang-ylang and Pine, but there are many others to try.

Essential oils are strong and usually require only a drop or two with any application.

However, should you suffer skin reaction, or wish to dilute the pure essential oils, almond oil is advised.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Aromatherapy

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