Natural aromatic oils are a feast for our senses, and their properties work their magic in a holistic way on the health of our mind, body and spirit. As a preventative medicine, aromatherapy is unsurpassed; it is useful in balancing psychological health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue. The aromatic use of essential oils is also wonderful for overall mood enhancement, stress reduction and even sleep enhancement. And one of the most simple and effective means of using essential oils is in an aromatherapy spray. These easily made ‘mists’ are a wonderful way to introduce the natural healing effects of essential oils to your family, and create a high-vibration atmosphere in your home.
This little project is something you can do alone, or with older children in the family. Getting your loved ones involved will have two important benefits: First, they’re likely to let you know which scents appeal to them the most. Often in aromatherapy, it is the scents we are most fond of that can have the strongest supporting effects for emotional health. Second, they’re also more likely to use and enjoy the oils they’ve had a part in making. This not only will give them greater satisfaction with the sprays, but will likely open their eyes and minds a little bit more to the world of natural health and wellness.
Just a few items are required: spray bottles and water are required. Plastic measuring pipettes, or simple eye droppers make measuring the essential oils an easy task. If you’ll be making enough spray that you think you’d want a little natural preservative, you can use a little witch hazel. Finally, if you’d like to go all out, you can use an emulsifier that helps your oils and water stay blended. For this you can use small amounts of a product called “Tween80″, also known as “Polysorbate80″ available through specialty retailers online. These are really only necessary if you truly don’t want to shake your bottles quite so often!
And of course you’ll need some essential oils. There’s a very wonderful array of oils available online; a much more diverse selection than you’ll find at your local health food market. Plus you’ll have the option of using medicinal grade oils in your blends if you so desire. Many dedicated aromatherapy practitioners believe the higher grade oils are worth the cost, particularly if your blends are intended you support your health and the health of your family. You may also find a big difference simply in the aromas. Therapeutic grade oils tend to have stronger, more interesting scents as well, which will translate into a much nicer aromatherapy mist.
While the most of the commonly used essential oils will be very safe in this application, if children will be handling the pure essential oils, safety should be considered. The “flowery” oils like lavender and chamomile are quite safe, as are more exotic scents such as Bulgarian rose and Indian sandalwood. Citrus oils and the “needle” oils from evergreen trees can be sensitizing; direct application to the skin is not recommended – and if you select very pungent oils, particularly cinnamon, clove or peppermint, application to the skin should be avoided altogether, and generally kept away from the younger ones. For everyone’s safety, just instruct your formulators to not get any oil on them, and to never spray the mists on their bodies, nor near anyone else’s eyes or face. If you have any questions or concerns about a particular oil, there are many resources available on the internet or in books about aromatherapy.
On to making the sprays! Creating aromatherapy sprays is very simple – just fill your bottles up most of the way with water or your Witch Hazel extract and water (1 part Witch Hazel to 4 parts water), then add your essential oils by counting the drops. If you’re using “tween”, use 8 drops per every ounce total spray you’re making. Put the cap on and shake vigorously for several seconds. Without the tween, the oil and water will naturally tend to separate, somewhat like a salad dressing — shaking a lot when first made will help keep the oils and water mixed. For the simplest formulas, you can use 4 to 16 drops total amount of essential oil in each ounce of water.
For a therapeutic synergy for calming children and helping them sleep, lavender and chamomile blend very well together. A simple formula of two drops of each essential oil per ounce of spray is perfect. Misting a child’s room as the lights go out for the night can really make a difference for many children (and their parents, too!).
For a lively, uplifting aromatic, mix together your favorite citrus scents. Essential oils are pressed from all the citrus fruits — you’ll find orange, lemon, lime, tangerine and grapefruit readily available. The aromas mix well together, and it is easy to adjust their ratios to your liking. Mandarin, a member of the tangerine family, has a certain soothing effect unique to this fruit, and again, works particularly well with children.
Perhaps the most effective “space clearing” scents are those from the needles and twigs of evergreen trees: Pine, spruce and Siberian fir. Like the citrus oils, these all blend nicely together; you can try a blend of them with equal amounts of each, and/or vary their amounts to suit your preference. Juniper can be added in small amounts for an extra touch. These oils are also naturally uplifting, yet they bring a sense of calm and “earthiness” as well.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, and are wanting to create new, complex blends, it is strongly recommended to proceed slowly. It’s easy to make “mud”, even when all the aromas you’ve started with are lovely. It can be helpful to create your new blend drop by drop in a small bottle, keeping notes as to what you’ve added, and let the blend sit for a while before adjusting (you’d be surprised how much a blend’s aroma can change after an hour or so). Whether using single oils, oils of the same family, or making your own inspired creation, aromatherapy mists are a fantastic introduction into the world of essential oils that you’re whole family can enjoy.
For more on the wonderful therapeutic potential of pure essential oils, visit The Ananda Apothecary at anandaapothecary.com.