How To

How to Use Aromatherapy for Anxiety

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(4 Ratings)

Aromatherapy is an alternative health practice that uses highly concentrated essential oils that are extracted from plants and used to stimulate the healing process and to treat symptoms of illness. Oils that have a soothing and calming effect assist in relaxing the mind and alleviating anxiety.

From Quick Guide: Aromatherapy
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Divide the # of ml of carrier oil by 2 to determine the # of drops of essential oil needed for a 2.5% solution. (20 ml divided by 2 = 10 drops of oil)
  • Divide the # of ml of carrier oil by 4 to determine the # of drops of essential oil needed to blend a light 1% solution. (20 ml divided by 4 = 5 drops of oil)
  • sunflower oil
  • soy oil
  • sweet almond oil
  • grapeseed oil
  • apricot oil

    Essential Oils for Anxiety

  1. Step 1

    Blend bergamot and chamomile in an oil blend to deepen the calming effects of each.

  2. Step 2

    Soothe and calm your nerves while you soak in the therapeutic waters of chamomile and bergamot.

  3. Step 3

    Massage the back with a melissa oil blend to soothe your body and mind.

  4. Step 4

    Diffuse sandlewood into your atmosphere to cool the physical body.

  5. Step 5

    Calm your mind and soothe your emotions with sandlewood inhalations.

  6. Step 6

    Reap the calming effects of lavender in a massage blend, diluted in an aromatherapy bath or with a few drops on your pillow.

  7. Step 7

    Use lavender with neroli oil to enhance its strong sedative effect.

  8. Preparation of Essential Oil Blend

  9. Step 1

    Choose a carrier oil based on your skin type.

  10. Step 2

    Measure and pour 20 ml of the carrier oil into a brown or blue glass bottle.

  11. Step 3

    Choose an essential oil(s) based on the symptom and the effect you would like to achieve.

  12. Step 4

    Determine the # of drops of essential oil needed for your oil blend.

  13. Step 5

    Use an eyedropper to add the essential oil (8 to 10 drops) to the carrier oil.

  14. Step 6

    Close the lid tightly and gently shake the bottle.

  15. Step 7

    Label the bottle with the date, the name of the essential oil, the name of the carrier oil and the dilution.

Tips & Warnings
  • Always dilute essential oils to a 1% or 2.5% solution.
  • Mix essential oils in small amounts (20ml) of carrier oil to prevent waste due to the dramatic decrease in the shelf life of diluted oils.
  • 20 ml of blended oil is adequate for a full body aromatherapy massage.
  • Thicken your creams and lotions by adding a waxy plant extract called Jojoba.
  • Add wheat germ oil to blended oils to prolong the shelf life and to prevent them from becoming rancid.
  • Use low 1% dilutions of bergamot and melissa to prevent skin irritation.
  • Avoid exposure to the sun or sunlamps for at least 6 hours after treatment with bergamot and neroli.
  • Do not apply essential oils directly to the skin.
  • Use a 1% dilution for children, pregnant women and for anyone with sensitive skin.
  • Consult your physician and an aromatherapist prior to using essential oils if you are pregnant.
  • Check each essential oil for specific contraindications and precautions prior to using them, ie. oils that are stimulants should be avoided if you have a seizure disorder or high blood pressure.
  • Keep essential oils away from heat and open flames.

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