Homemade Aromatherapy Bath Oil For Instant Stress Relief

- Rosemary, mint, lavender and chamomile are all great stress fighters. They also help to ease aches and pains.

- Jasmine and pine are natural mood-lifters. Even taken in small doses, they've been shown to perk people up and improve their outlook on life a little.

- Basil, cinnamon and other spicy herbs relax you and also help with concentration. These pungent, tangy spices help improve focus.

- Geranium and mandarin help with skin problems, like oily skin, acne and wrinkles. These oils are ideal for a skin-rejuvenating bath.

- Eucalyptus improves breathing, which leads to better blood circulation and more restful sleep. It's great for people who feel fatigued and tired often.

- Peppermint has a wide variety of benefits, including helping with headaches and providing relief for allergies such as asthma.

- Some oils, like clary sage and ylang ylang, are aphrodisiacs. They promote better blood circulation, and their musky scents can help set the right mood.

Make Your Own Essential Oils

Making your own aromatherapy oils is much simpler than most people imagine. Anybody can do it at home. You'll need some glass jars, a regular household oil such as canola oil, and leaves or other plant material.

First, make sure the jars are clean. Wash them well with soap, and then scour them with boiling water. You want them to be perfectly clean.

Making essential oils is just like making tea. Put the plant material into the jar, and then pour in oil. The best all-purpose oil to use is canola oil. Fill the jar with oil, and then seal the cap.

Put the jar in a sunny place. Most people put it right on the windowsill so that it gets as much sun as possible. Now, we wait. Let it sit there and stew for a few days.

As the oil absorbs the plant material, you'll see the leaves turning brown and dead-looking. This might be a sign that it's done. In any case, after a few days, pop the jar open and take a whiff. It should smell strong. If it doesn't, give it another day to brew.

The result is your own homemade essential oil. You can use these oils and enjoy their benefits without spending a dollar at the local health food store.

Handling Your Oils Safely

Essential oils are healthy and beneficial, but they can also be dangerous. In high doses, they are poisonous. For this reason, never ingest your oils. They should be used externally only.

You should always dilute oils when using them in the bath. Dilute them with regular bath oil, at a ratio of about 1 part essential oil to 3 parts bath oil. If applied directly to the skin, it can cause burning.

Be careful that you don't get any in your eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Always wash your hands before and after handling your mixtures. Keep in mind that, in their concentrated form, these mixtures can be highly toxic and poisonous.

Keep your jars out of the reach of kids or pets. If even a tiny bit is ingested, it can be toxic and fatal. If someone drinks any of your oils, call the doctor immediately.

Once you get into making your own essential oils, do some research and experiment. Head out to the back yard and find all the ingredients you can for your aromatherapy essential oil concoctions!

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