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In recent years aromatherapy has become more accessible; it has come down from being exclusive to spas to being used regularly at home. But, it is important to note that using essential oils for aromatherapy is not so easy at it sounds. There are a lot of aspects that need to be kept in mind while practising aromatherapy, and it is better to be familiar with a few DO’s and DON’T’s rather than be impulsive and go in the wrong direction.
DO’s
- It’s always better to compare oils while buying them. Two different oils may have the same common name. To differentiate between these two oils, it is necessary to know the Latin names of the oils you want; otherwise you’ll end up with the wrong one.
- For this reason and for others, it is important that you read up about aromatherapy, especially because there are safety measures that need to be practised while practising it. Necessary and related information about aromatherapy is easily available on the internet.
- The plants producing essential oils often originate in many countries and regions, and some are better than the others. So, before buying the essential oil, ask the vendor or check for details on the pack for the country of origin.
- It is also useful to check on the label whether the company of the essential oil uses organic methods and ethical farming methods for growing the plants or use wild ones.
- It is necessary that the essentials are stored in a cool, dark place and kept away from sunlight. Maybe a wooden box purchased at a local fair, or even the cardboard boxes they come in may be used for storing these essential oils after buying them. Also, dark glass bottles should be used for storing the oils.
- Different essential oils have different properties, and of course, different aromas. It is always better to read up, or at least be familiar with the different medicinal benefits of an oil before you buy it.
- Different kinds of oil burners or oil diffusers and other accessories are used for aromatherapy. You’ll certainly find one that suits your needs and budget; but before that, make sure to read or know about the different kinds of burners, and the one that will be best for you.
DON’T’S
- There is a difference between essential oils and perfume oils. Even if the oil is meant to be used for enjoyment rather than for aromatherapy, it is better to use essential oils and not perfume oils which have no medicinal properties whatsoever; not only do they act as room fresheners but also have the added bonus of spreading its therapeutic properties in the form of vapour, along with the aroma.
- It is best not to buy essential oils in bottles that come with a rubber top with glass dropper. The essential oil may be concentrated, and may melt the rubber into gum, thus contaminating the oil.
- Essential oils at temporary craft fairs may seem lucrative, but it’s best not to buy them from such limited time events as vendors may get away with selling you a bad quality product, knowing that you cannot find them to hold them responsible later on. It is always better to buy pure essential oils from reputed companies or even as a wholesale product from the market.
- While using oil burners, it is best to be present when traditional oil burners are being used because often it involves lighting a flame. Also, only a few drops of essential oil must be used in oil burners, otherwise the overwhelming smell may lead to dizziness, nausea and discomfort. Neither should oil burners be used all the time; it is ideal to use them at intervals of a few hours.
