| Mixing your own aromatherapy oils is like going on a | | | | clothes. (Using fabric softener or dryer sheets will |
| sensory adventure. You sniff out fabulous new scents, | | | | cover up the aroma - replace the fabric softener with |
| discovering zippy blends that step up your energy and | | | | white vinegar and hang your laundry outside to dry.) |
| pep up your mood. Or deeply relaxing blends that | | | | - Make your own essential oil bath or body blend by |
| draw you down into a sense of calm and comfort. | | | | combining three drops of your three favorite essential |
| The landscape of our energy and well-being is just as | | | | oils in two tablespoons of oil. (Plain vegetable oil will |
| interesting as the landscape of our planet - just... a lot | | | | work, but grapeseed, sweet almond and sesame are |
| smaller. | | | | nicer.) Use the blend as a body oil, bath oil or massage |
| There are so many aromatherapy blends, recipes and | | | | oil. |
| essential oils available that it can be easy to get | | | | - Create a refreshing room spray: Boil some water |
| overwhelmed by all the choices. Not to worry - with | | | | and let it cool. Pour it into a spray bottle and add 5 |
| these six secrets for mixing your own aromatherapy | | | | drops each lemon, peppermint and eucalyptus. |
| oils, you can confidently make your own essential oil | | | | Coincidentally, this aromatherapy recipe is also a |
| blends for any mood or moment. | | | | disinfectant. Perfect for sickrooms! |
| Secret #1: Get Into Groups | | | | Secret #4: The Rule of Three |
| Here's a helpful starting point for mixing your own | | | | This one is really easy: When mixing your own |
| aromatherapy oils. Essential oil scents fall into five | | | | aromatherapy oils, don't use more than three essential |
| general groups: | | | | oils in one blend. |
| - Floral - such as lavender, geranium, jasmine and rose | | | | Yes, it's true that lots of recipes, especially commercial |
| - Citrus - such as lemon, grapefruit, orange and | | | | blends, use many scents in one product, but a simple |
| bergamot | | | | fact is that three essential oils together work just right. |
| - Spicy - such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and pepper | | | | Your nose can still smell all three, but at the same time |
| - Woody - such as cedarwood, rosewood, patchouli | | | | they create a beautiful harmony. |
| and sandalwood | | | | Secret #5: Learn a Little - Be Sensible About Safety |
| - Green (or Herbaceous) - such as peppermint, | | | | Each essential oil has its own particular properties, not |
| chamomile, eucalyptus and rosemary | | | | only in terms of scent, but also in terms of therapeutic |
| Knowing your basic groups can help guide you in your | | | | effect and safety considerations. It's good to learn at |
| blending efforts. | | | | least the basic safety information. |
| Citrus oils generally go well with spicy oils. Citrus and | | | | Two important points: Do not drink essential oils! Only |
| floral also often work well together. Woody and floral | | | | apply externally, and dilute for use on the skin. |
| is usually a good combination, and green and citrus are | | | | Some essential oils are skin irritants (cinnamon and |
| good too. | | | | thyme, for example.) Most of the citrus oils are |
| If you're not sure about a blend, take the caps off the | | | | photo-toxic, which means you can get sunburned if |
| bottles, hold them together in a tight group and waft | | | | you're exposed to sunlight after applying them to your |
| the combination under your nose. | | | | skin. |
| Secret #2: Start Small | | | | And did you know that too much lavender can be |
| Start by buying one or two essential oils from each | | | | stimulating rather than relaxing? Or that sandalwood, |
| group. For instance, you could begin with lavender, | | | | patchouli and frankincense are among a whole list of |
| bergamot, cinnamon, rosewood and peppermint. Then | | | | oils that are exceptionally healing to the skin? |
| try adding rose geranium (smells more flowery than | | | | There's a whole world of interesting essential oil facts |
| regular geranium,) lemon, cedarwood, patchouli and | | | | out there, and part of the fun of mixing your own |
| eucalyptus. | | | | aromatherapy oils is learning what they're good for. |
| Pick more essential oils from the groups with the | | | | Take the time to enjoy the research! |
| scents you prefer. Grow your collection slowly, adding | | | | Secret #6: Follow Your Nose! |
| essential oils as you come across new aromatherapy | | | | In the end, it boils down to you. What do you like? |
| recipes you want to try. | | | | What does your nose tell you is a good combination? |
| Handy Hint: Make small batches when you're just | | | | Your mood, your hormones, even the time of year can |
| starting out. Once you know what works, you can go | | | | affect how you feel about a certain aromatherapy |
| bigger. | | | | blend on any given day. Trust yourself! If you've |
| Secret #3: Stick With Simple | | | | learned some basic safety and therapeutic guidelines, |
| Mixing your own aromatherapy oils can be as simple | | | | you can't go too far wrong. |
| as sprinkling lavender and lemon on a dusting cloth. Or | | | | That's what makes the world of mixing your own |
| adding a few drops of geranium and bergamot to a | | | | aromatherapy oils so exciting - every day you can try |
| warm bath at night. It doesn't have to be rocket | | | | something new, and it will always be good for you. |
| science. | | | | Because every oil is not only part of our personal |
| Try these tricks for adding aromatherapy blends to | | | | landscape, but also part of earth's gift to us. |
| your everyday life: | | | | Disclaimer: All information is for educational purposes |
| - Add 5 to 10 drops each lemon and lavender to your | | | | only. It is not intended to treat, prevent, diagnose, or |
| unscented laundry detergent for sweet-smelling | | | | cure any condition. |