ROMATHERAPY: SAFETY & RECIPES

SIMMI REITBERGER

Essential oils are natural, but natural doesn’t always mean safe.
Do you know there are International Safety Guidelines in employing Aromatherapy?
This is to minimise the risk factors of any adverse reaction, toxicity, or precautions.
So, education is key.

Do your diligence and research from appropriate experts of Aromatherapy.

Knowing who to trust is important. Also, doing your research will educate you better. When you know better you will do better with what you are doing, your blends will be more effective therapeutically, achieving more positive results.

So, seek out a qualified Aromatherapist who has had appropriate training and learn techniques from them. Take the time to learn, then practice, then empower yourself. Seek out information, read books, research and perhaps do some training. There are many courses available online and in person.

Many E.O’s have contraindications such as in,

♥ pregnancy

♥ children

♥ babies

♥ elderly

♥ blood pressure

♥ certain medications

♥ kidney issues

I have seen first-hand when there is misuse resulting in skin reactions. For instance, using certain citrus oils causes sensitisation on the skin in sunlight, causing either pigmentation or breakdown, creating rashes, blisters, and sensitivities.

#TIP Test an essential oil by placing a drop on a small cotton pad, putting it on the inside of your elbow for 12 hours, and noticing any adverse reaction.

#TIP Suppose you got Essential Oil in the eye or on the skin with a burning sensation. Soak a cotton ball in a carrier oil such as Jojoba or Olive Oil and wipe in one direction gently to get rid of the E.O. Repeat till you find relief.

Are Essential Oils safe for Kids?

Yes, with caution. Generally, I can say 1-1.5% dilution is safe.

Dilution:
A thing to remember when you use Essential Oils in children is the dilution ratio. The ratio changes with age group and is suggested by IFA (International Federation of Aromatherapists) guidelines.

For ages 1-2 years: 1 -2 drops for every 10 ml.

For ages 5 – 10 years: 2 -4 drops per every 10 ml.

Restricted oils:

Also, please note that certain oils are not for children!

Eucalyptus and Peppermint should be avoided on their face due to the cineole component of these oils because they may trigger convulsions in some and respiratory problems in others. Besides, hot oils such as Black Pepper, Thyme, and Oregano should be avoided for children.

Therapeutic E.O.s safe for use in kids:

Some popular therapeutic essential oils that are safe for kids from citrus and floral group are:

♥ Mandarin

♥ Neroli

♥ Chamomile Roman

♥ Lavender

♥ Orange

♥ Vanilla

♥ Cinnamon

♥ Rose

♥ Geranium

#TIP Spearmint for kids: They’ll love it. There are always options in the Essential Oil world as there are approx 200 different oils to choose from. If you are diffusing in their room, I suggest keeping the door open and reducing added drops.

Are they safe for pregnant Women?

Again, use with caution. A heavier dilution of around 1-1.5 % is safe.

Aromatherapy is a wonderful and therapeutic modality to use during pregnancy to assist with many conditions and symptoms that some women experience, including the following:

♥ bloating

♥ fluid retention

♥ achy feet and back

♥ stretch marks

♥ nausea

♥ fatigue

♥ mood changes

♥ hormonal skin conditions

However, Aromatherapists recommend avoiding the use of Essential Oils in the First Trimester. In the second and third trimesters, you can resume using Essential Oils. Diffusing is a wonderful way to experience them while pregnant.

Safe Essential Oils For Pregnancy

♥ Neroli

♥ Sweet Orange

♥ Petitegrain

♥ Bergamot

♥ Grapefruit

♥ Lime

♥ Carrot Seed

♥ Patchouli

♥ Spearmint

♥ And others

However, certain Essential Oils are to be avoided during pregnancy, including Aniseed, Basil, Camphor, Clary Sage, Mugwort, and Oakmoss.

Are Essential Oils for everyone?

Yes, please.

My mission is for everyone,

♥ to experience an aromatic lifestyle to reduce the toxins in their homes and body products they put on their skin

♥ to empower you to take control of your health by having aromatic baths and or nourishing your body daily with a body boost blend

♥ to create aromatic environments using their ionisers

♥ to create an ambience for sleeping, entertaining or when feeling sick

Aromatherapy is a wonderful modality to support you through life, its cycles and different stages, including its ups and downs, highs and lows, peaks and valleys.

They are my personal allies, my companions, and I’m forever learning more about them. They are like friends, each with a different personality to get to know and understand 🙂

Listed down are a few of my favourite recipes. Use them after you educate yourself adequately, either from an aromatherapist or self-learning.

Essential Oil Recipes

Method: Simply add to a bath, a diffuser, or rub on your hands and inhale.

INSOMNIA / Sleep Easy

Diffuse the following an hour before you go to bed:

💧 Bergamot: 3 drops

💧 Roman Chamomile: 2 drops

💧 Lavender: 1 drop

ANXIETY / I am free

Add the following to a tablespoon of jojoba. Then rub onto your stomach in a circular slow motion and do 5 deep, slow, long Buddha Belly breaths.

💧 Bergamot: 4 drops

💧 Neroli: 3 drops

💧 Frankincense: 2 drops

ENERGY / I am vital

Diffuse the following oils next to your desk:

💧 Peppermint: 2 drops

💧 Rosemary: 3 drops

💧 Lemon: 3 drops

DETOX / I am pure

Add the following to 30mls/1 oz of base oil (eg. almond oil) and massage your body after the morning shower.

Pink Grapefruit: 6 drops

💧 Juniper: 4 drops

💧 Cypress: 3 drops

💧 Vetiver: 2 drops

COLDS / FLU / Breathe

Add the following to a diffuser and keep it near you. Or add to 30 mls/1 oz base oil and massage your chest and neck. Reapply as often as needed.

💧 Lemon: 4 drops

💧 Eucalyptus: 3 drops

💧 Sandalwood: 2 drops

💧 Peppermint: 1 drop

PMT / I am love

Add the following to 30ml/1 oz of base oil (eg. rose hip)

💧 Rose 3%: 8 drops

💧 Orange: 6 drops

💧 Ylang Ylang: 3 drops

If you need any assistance about Aromatherapy and Essential Oils and want to discuss further book in for a consultation

Here, we will go through a thorough health assessment and create an Aromatherapy/Wellness program designed just for you.

If you want to learn more about Essential Oils in my upcoming E-course The Art & Science of Essential Oils, join the waitlist and we will let you know once we next launch.

Add your name to the waitlist