When you think of aromatherapy, do you think of hippies on a commune or the dank nether regions of Michael’s candle making section? Diana Gonzalez is a professional crafter and holistic practitioner. Everything she does is inspiring and cool. Here she shares the basics on aromatherapy, and hooks us up with a few juicy recipes to get you going;
You may think of Lavender, Mint, or Rose when you think of aromatherapy. I’ve always thought it was a nice thing to think about; the idea of being able to use the pure essence of a plant, to use in body care and cosmetics. It’s another thing entirely to actually get down to using it, besides it’s probably much better to try out multiple scents without it being the pure essence. Essential oils are not the same as perfume or fragrance oils. There are at least three hundred essential oils in general use today, but the average home only needs about ten or so. Each essential oil has its own medicinal properties, which is why many will make use of such a thing alongside, say, a Private Label Hyaluronic Acid Serum in their skin care routines. They can be antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiinflammatory, antidepressant, and/ or sedative.
The most effective way to use essential oils, is not orally, but externally or through inhallation.You can use them in:
- Massage Skin lotions
- Hot & Cold Compresses
- Hair Care
- Flower Waters
- Baths
- Vaporization
- Steam Inhalation
If you’re wondering where to purchase essential oils, the best place for that, is Mountain Rose Herbs. Start your kit with:
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Tea Tree
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Sweet Orange
- Rosemary
- CBD
Why Lavender?
Skin Care: Abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete’s foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, earache, eczema, inflamations, insect bits and stings, insect repellant, lice, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, sores, spots, sunburn, wounds.
Why Lemon?
Skin Care: Acne, Anamia, brittle nails, boils, corns, cuts, greasy skin, herpes, insect bites, mouth ulcurs, spoits, varicose veins, warts
Why Tea Tree?
Skin Care: Abess, acne, athlete’s foot, blisters, burns, cold sores, dandruff, herpes, insect bits, oily skin, rashes, spots, warts, wounds
Why Peppermint?
Skin Care: Acne, dermatitis, ringworm, scabies, toothache
Why Chamomile?
Skin Care: Acne, allergies, boils, cuts, dermatitis, earache, eczema, hair care, inflammations, rashes, sensitive skin, insect bites, toothache, earrache
Why Eucalyptus?
Skin Care: Cuts, sores, ulcers
Why Geranium?
Skin Care: Acne: bruises, burns, oily complexion, mosquito repellant, mature skin, lice, oily complexion
Why Sweet Orange?
Skin Care: Dull & oily complexions, mouth ulcers
Why Rosemary?
Skin Care: Acne, dandruff, dermatitis, eczema, greasy hair, insect repellent, lice, varicose veins
Why CBD?
CBD has been proven to reduce acne and improve skin quality, as well as pain and stress relief. CBD can be taken in a variety of ways, as oil, cream, or live resin.
So now, you have an idea of a few basic oils that you can use for skin care, health and body care. Now, for some recipes!
Calming Lavender Bath Salts
2 Drops of Chamomile
7 Drops of Lavender
5 tbsp Sea Salt
2 tbsp Baking Soda
Add sea salt, baking soda, and oils to jar. Gently shake to mix, mix well. Add to tub of running water. Also, if you want, you can add combinations of oils together! Play around with oils!
Orange Creamsicle Bath Bags
1/2 C. oatmeal (regular or quick)
1/2 C. powdered soy milk
4 T. ground almonds
16 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
Combine dry ingredients in bowl, stirring to mix well. Add essential oil and blend. Divide mixture among 3 pretty cloth bags, and tie them at the top. Hang one from the bathtub faucet as the water is running into the tub. Store.
Chapped-lip Balm
1 tablespoon emulsifying wax (1/2 oz.)
1 tablespoon petroleum jelly
3 to 4 drops essential oil blend
Melt the wax, petroleum jelly in a microwave. Add the essential oil. Stir the mixture until it cools. Store.
Dry Skin Lotion
1/8 tsp Borax
1/4 c. Distilled water
1/2 c. Fractionated Coconut Oil
1 Tbs grated emulsifying wax
10 Drops of your favorite Essential Oil
1/8 tsp lecithin
1/2 c. Aloe Vera Gel
Combine water and borax. Bring borax and water almost to boiling. In a seperate pan mix oil and wax and heat until wax is melted. Slowly add borax/water to oil/wax, stirring briskly, a small wire whisk works perfectly or you can use a handblender. Add essential oils during the whisking process. Let cool to room temp. Once lotion is at room temp add the 1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel and whisk to incorporate fully into the lotion. Store.
Rosewater & Glycerin Lotion
2 tablespoons glycerine
2 tablespoons corn flower (cornstarch)
1/2 cup distilled water
2 tablespoons rosewater
Mix together all ingredients in an ovenproof glass bowl or pitcher. Heat until just boiling and thick, 1 to 2 minutes in the microwave on High (stirring every 30 seconds), or on the stove top in a water bath. The lotion will be clear and jellylike; stir thoroughly and cool completely. When the lotion is cool, pour into a clean, airtight container. Note: If your lotion becomes too thick, you can thin it by adding water, one tablespoon at a time and stirring thoroughly. (this recipe is from Natural Beauty at Home by Janice Cox) *Note about the rosewater: you can make your own essentail oil floral water, by mixing 1 cup of distilled pure water, with abot 20-30 drops of pure essential oil. Then, your lotion can be whatever you wish!
How to find Diana? Check out:
Her Handmade Boutique: www.sweetbuddha.etsy.com
Her Blog: Confessions of a Craftaholic: http://theconfessionsofacraftaholic.wordpress.com/
Her Classes: The Craftaholic’s School of Art & Creativity http://meetup.com/TheCraftaholic
Her Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecraftaholic
Her Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Craftaholic/191559548850?ref=ts
And if you live in the NY area – you can check out her amazingly fun soap making classes here (yep, she’ll cover how to make ’em vegan! You can also hire her for a “creativity” party for your kids or for you and your Besties!!