Aromatherapy – It’s Safe, Natural and Green!
While these common ailments aren’t life-threatening, pain can nonetheless make you feel miserable and put a damper on your life.
You may be able to take medication for common ailments, but you don’t necessarily want to fill your body with pharmaceuticals for small issues that you can take care of naturally.
Aromatherapy is a safe and natural remedy which has been used effectively for a long, long time – and it’s very green and eco friendly.
Modern medicine has brought us many benefits, but it’s good to be able to use natural remedies for minor ailments whenever possible.
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Aromatherapy for Headaches
Many essential oils used in aromatherapy are known to help cure a headache. The most popular of these are
- lavender
- eucalyptus
- peppermint
Dilute a few drops of one or two of these oils into a carrier oil (e.g. pure, cold-pressed olive, jojoba or coconut oil).
I use lavender and peppermint essential oil diluted in jojoba and almond oil. It works well.
Massage a small amount into your temples, forehead, and the back of your neck.
2. 
Muscle Pain
Many essential oils used in aromatherapy have anti-inflammatory qualities, which make them very effective for treating muscle pain. Popular essential oils for muscle pain are:
- Peppermint
- Clove
- Marjoram
Use these essential oils in a massage oil to treat aches and pains.
3. Sinus Problems
Sinus issues can cause more than just discomfort. Sinus pressure or blockage can be painful and may lead to debilitating headaches and even infection.
Aromatherapy can help here too. Put a few drops of tea tree oil into a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam.
You can also place a large towel over your head and over the bowl as well, so the steam doesn’t escape into the room.
Other Ways to Use Aromatherapy
There are many different ways that essential oils can be used for aromatherapy purposes, which means that there are various opportunities for you to experience the healing power of aromatherapy.
For example, you could take an aromatherapy bath.
The essential oils are diluted, this time in oil, Epsom salts, or soap so they can dissolve in a hot bath. The heat helps to release the wonderful scents, as well as the healing relaxation of aromatherapy.
Candles are another common vehicle for aromatherapy. Often just breathing in the healing powers of aromatic herbs, flowers, and other plants can help to cure many of your common ailments.
A word (or two) of warning about candles
- Most candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum (fossil fuel) product which releases chemicals such as benzene and toluene into the air.
- We need to reduce our demand for fossil fuels because using them causes climate change.
- So instead, be sure to buy aromatherapy candles made from soy, plant waxes, tallow or beeswax.
- Be aware of the labels on candles. They may contain essential oils, but there may also be fragrance oils in there too. Anything that is described simply as “fragrance” is generally artificial – chemical fragrances are cheaper than essential oils.
- A candle may also say “made with beeswax” but it can still contain mostly paraffin wax.
Aromatherapy for Stress Relief
Yes, I know I said 3 common ailments that can be cured by aromatherapy, but a fourth very common ailment is stress, so here’s a bonus tip.
Stress can cause or exacerbate so many issues, on top of being a true problem in its own right.
An aromatherapy bath, perhaps together with an aromatherapy candle or two, can help to relieve stress. (And please read the comment below for a great idea for an aromatherapy shower!).
Aromatherapy is Easy, Natural and Safe
Aromatherapy is an effective cure for so many common ailments.
Instead of going into your medicine cabinet next time you feel the onset of a headache or have had a stressful day, turn to the healthy and natural healing powers of aromatherapy.
What do you use for headaches and aches and pains? Let me know in the Comments below.
And share these aromatherapy natural remedies with your friends and family – sharing buttons below and right – thank you!
Hi Clare, Thanks for sharing your wisdom about aromatherapy. I am a huge fan of using essential oils for wellness, beauty and health and loved the tips you described in this post!!!
Thanks Carmen, yes, we are so lucky to be able to easily get essential oils now. It wasn’t always the case, and of course originally, people had to make their own. I’m very happy it’s much easier now! I think we’re only scratching the surface of the things we can use them beneficially for.
Hi!
I love the idea of aromatherapy, but in all honesty our tub isn’t BIG enough to lie down and soak bathe. I wish it was! I wonder if I could talk the hubby into a SPA for Christmas? 🙂
– Bonnie
Hi Bonnie, did you know you can do almost the same thing in the shower? Of course you’re standing, not sitting, but you can have have a gorgeous, steamy aromatherapy shower quite easily. Here’s how:
1. When you are ready to begin your shower, spray the shower walls with cold water, then sprinkle a few drops of your favourite essential oil on to each wall.
(Optional extra, dampen a small towel with water, and sprinkle a few drops of essential oils onto it too. Then place it (assuming you have some room) with your shampoo etc – you want it to ideally be quite close to the level of your face).
2. Turn on the shower to max hot for a few seconds – it will start to steam. Turn it down to the temperature you like it, get in, keep the door / curtain well closed, and enjoy the steamy aromatherapy!
PS I think this might be slightly cheaper than a Spa for Christmas!!) 🙂
Nice post Clare, which i have forwarded to my daughter, she introduced me to Tee Tree oil to help with Sinusitus a few years ago, I was somewhat sceptical, but it does the trick
Thanks Mike, yes, tea tree oil is effective for many ailments. Sinusitis is horrible, I’m glad the essential oil works well!
Hi Clare, I am relatively new to using aromatherapy. I was introduced to it when I sought non-toxic ways to heal a fungal infection I contracted during surgery in a hospital. This infection was not contagious as it was under the skin but it was unsightly. I was told to apply clove oil directly on the skin, without a carrier oil if possible. There was a warming sensation but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I applied it once a week (only because I was concerned not using a carrier oil would eventually burn the skin if used too often). Signs of the infection were no longer visible after three weeks but I continued using the oil for another three concerned there could still be some of the infection there while not visible to the eye. The smell was a bit medicinal to me as I was not used to using essential oils but I quickly got used to it and best part was that there were no warnings to deal with like there was with the anti-fungal creams the doctor prescribed.
I recently shared information I came across on how to treat cancer with essential oils if you are interested. http://theecograndma.com/the-truth-about-cancer/
Wow, that’s great Lois! I’m so pleased that your first experience of aromatherapy oils was such a positive one. You were very sensible using it only once a week when it was undiluted. Clove oil is one of the very, few essential oils that I don’t like the smell of. I use it for toothache, good to know it works for fungal infections too (very common on a tropical island!).
I’m heading over to your site now to read your article – thanks for sharing!
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