HE A LT H
&
W E L L N E S S
Aromatherapy Essential Oils:
Seven Things You Should Know
A romatherapy uses essential oils to treat medical conditions, to
alleviate psychological ailments, for cosmetic purposes, and to reduce
stress. The essential oils of aromatherapy have the power to enhance both
your physical and mental state.
Essential oils are extracted from living plants and trees. Most oils can
be used at home safely, enjoyably, and with beneficial effects. Keep the
following seven things in mind if you want to try aromatherapy at home.
Essential oils should never be applied directly without diluting them.
Only lavender and tea tree oil are exceptions to this rule.
Essential oils are flammable, so use extreme caution around flames
and heat sources. If you use a burner to diffuse the oil, put water in the
burner first. The essential oil will enter the air as the water evaporates.
Essential oils are for external use only. On very rare occasions,
a qualified aromatherapist may prescribe essential oils by mouth.
Some essential oils can be very toxic if swallowed. Essential oils that
have a therapeutic effect when diluted in certain oral treatments, like
mouthwash, should not be swallowed.
Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.
If you want to use essential oils during pregnancy, on babies, or
with young children, please seek the advice of a trained, qualified
aromatherapist first.
If you are using essential oils as part of homoeopathic or herbal
medicine treatment, get advice from homoeopathic or herbal medicine
practitioners as well as from an aromatherapist.
Some medical conditions require a doctor’s care, and not all medical
conditions benefit from aromatherapy. Always check with your doctor
first before undertaking aromatherapy for the treatment of any medical
condition.
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