There are a variety of ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your self-care.
The quickest and easiest way is to directly apply a dot of the blended oil onto your inner wrist so that the scent and any physical benefits of the oils are immediately available to you.
There are various forms of jewelry that carry scent, such as locket-type pendants or bracelets made of lava stone, a porous substance that absorbs drops of oil placed on it and slowly releases the scent through the day.
Essential oils are very concentrated, which is why they’re usually diluted in a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil if you’re going to be using them on the skin.
Diffusion doesn’t always require a carrier oil, so if you’re mixing a blend for this kind of diffusion (in other words, if you’re not going to be applying it to the skin) then you can omit the carrier oil in whatever recipe you’re following.
Make sure you label your blend and note if it includes a carrier oil!
Diffusion is the process by which an oil is dispersed throughout an area.
There are several ways to do this.
♦ Putting drops on a cotton ball and tucking it into a tiny zip-top bag allows you to carry it with you.
Open the bag and bring it to your face, inhaling deeply.
This is a great method to bring a blend with you on a plane or to work.
♦ You can add drops of oil to a small bottle of distilled water.
Shake it, then spray it on sofas, beds, carpets, or just into the air to add fragrance to the room.
♦ Diffusion via steam is another simple method. Boil 1–2 cups water, transfer it to a bowl, and add drops of the oil to the water.
The heat of the water will disperse the aroma through the area. (You may be familiar with this method if you’ve ever draped a towel over your head and a bowl of steaming water—with or without a drop or two of eucalyptus oil—to help loosen congestion; boiled cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel at Christmas will make the house smell cozy.)
♦ A candle diffuser is a small dish on top of a candleholder.
Place a tablespoon or two of water into the dish and add drops of oil to it.
The candle heats the water and oils, and the scent is released into the air.
An electric diffuser does the same thing, only it uses electricity to heat the dish.
♦ A nebulizer breaks down the oils into smaller particles and diffuses them into the air.
Nebulizers are also powered by an electric pump.
♦ A lovely, relaxing way to enjoy aromatherapy is in a bath.
You can add a few drops of your chosen blend directly to the water after you have filled your bath, or mix them into a larger amount of carrier oil to make a bath oil.
Here are some magical blends that you can use in a diffuser, aromatherapy jewelry, or to dab on squares of cloth and tuck in various places.
Some of these blends call for oils that weren’t previously listed. If so, the associated magical properties are mentioned in the recipe
