Aromatherapy with Herbs

Herbal Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an alternative medicine that uses essential oils extracted from herbs mixed with sunflower, almond, olive or sesame oil. These essences are used to invigorate the mind, for massages, to change mood, thinking, cognitive processes or health. Aromatherapy literally means healing with scents. The oils are mixed just before massage. Either stimulating - yang, or calming - yin. The most common essential oils include: lemongrass, lavender, cedarwood, ginger, sandalwood, pine, jasmine, rose, or pomegranate.

The use of aromatic baths has been known since ancient times. Essential oils are extracted from plants by cold pressing or steam distillation. Although they are called oils, they are not greasy.

Aromatherapy

• Aromatic massage - aromatherapy massage includes a full body massage, including the scalp. Only intimate parts of the body are omitted.
• Aromatic inhalation - inhalation of aromatic oils induces a state of the body, either raising or lowering blood pressure. It creates a feeling of cold, warmth, or invigoration. It is used in the treatment of mental or psychosomatic illnesses.
• Aromatic bath - differs from a classic bath by adding essential oils or aroma blends. The bath is pleasantly relaxing and calming.

Herbs for Health and Beauty

Sage - we grow this herb in a warm and sunny location. We cultivate the herb all year round. June is suitable for harvesting. Sage has a distinctly bitter taste. We dry and freeze it. We use it for homemade herbal tea, gargling for toothache, and also for painful menstruation. We use it for aromatic foot baths, which have disinfectant effects.

Lemon balm - promotes sweating and reduces fever. We prepare healthy tea from the leaves. It stimulates heart activity. It helps with sleep disorders - an aromatic bath is suitable or also in scented pillows.

Mint - is an ideal partner when dieting, it suppresses appetite and stimulates brain activity. It induces a feeling of joy. Adding leaves to a bath calms frazzled nerves. During inhalations, it helps with colds and sinus relief. Mint is best fresh. However, leaves can also be dried or frozen.

Basil - mix one tablespoon of basil with 1/4 liter of boiled water and pour into the bathtub, this enriched bath relieves muscle pain and muscle weakness.

Lavender - when you have a cold, its aroma helps rid the air in the room of viruses and bacteria. Regular ventilation and scenting of the room pleasantly calms the sick. You can use lavender aromatherapy even for children's illnesses.

Eucalyptus - is an excellent air purifier from viruses and bacteria. It is possible to have a pot with this plant in every room.

Rosemary - is a Mediterranean herb. We pick its leaves from April to October. We add sprigs to meat dishes. In aromatherapy, it is a refreshing addition to aromatic baths. For low blood pressure, steep a rosemary sprig in natural wine for a week and drink it.

Marjoram - inhale for asthma, colds and congested sinuses. Drink as tea for colic. Not suitable for pregnant women. Has anti-inflammatory effects.

Parsley - we collect leaves from June. We don't dry parsley, but freeze it. Parsley maintains healthy kidneys. We add it to salads and soups.

Thyme - we harvest young shoots from May to June. We dry or freeze it. Thyme has a pungent aroma, so we use it in small amounts. We can use it for making fragrant and decorative potpourri. For colds, we add it to dishes with fresh fish and meat. It soothes spasmodic cough and loosens mucus. It disinfects the oral cavity and respiratory tract. It kills intestinal parasites and fungal moulds. Gargle for mouth ulcers. We prepare gargling infusion from one teaspoon of thyme poured with 1/2 litre of water.

There are really many suitable herbs, and for those who like to taste them, not just smell them, there is also Watercress - which stimulates the mind. Enjoy it on bread with butter. Savory prevents bloating - we add it to legume dishes. Borage in salad improves good mood.

Refreshing the air with fragrant essences - add a few drops to floor washing water, to the iron, to the vacuum cleaner filter. You can let herbs evaporate in an aroma lamp or evaporator on a radiator.

Herbal shampoos or hair masks - we can also make herbal shampoo at home. Mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil or grated Marseille soap, pour over 150 ml of boiled water, leave to stand until the next day, then add herbs according to hair type. Then strain and use. Suitable is, for example, chamomile, which soothes the skin and increases hair shine. We make a homemade conditioner for hair shine from 2 litres of boiled water and lemongrass.

Essential oils - do not use directly on skin for massage, always dilute them with commonly available oil. Coconut oil is also suitable. Use extra virgin olive oil cold-pressed from quality olives. If you want to make quality essential oil, mix 2 kilograms of herbs (e.g. lavender) in a litre of quality oil and leave to stand for 2 days. Then the herb must be thoroughly separated from the oil. Press through cloth, for example, or centrifuge.

Herbal bath - should be at a temperature of 27-35°C. Adjust the temperature according to your health condition. For example, if you have high blood pressure, use lukewarm water. Add fresh or dried herbs to the bath. Rose petals. Lemongrass. For a foot bath, mix water with, for example, lard. The skin on your feet will then be softer. When using herbs, do not add bath salts, foams and other industrially manufactured additives.

Herbal inhalation - pour boiled water into a bowl and let it stand for about 5 minutes. Add herbs such as mint (5-6 leaves) and inhale for a maximum of 10 minutes.

For breastfeeding mothers - tea to support milk production - equal parts of anise, fennel, black cumin, dill seeds, marjoram and lemon balm. Other herbs that support milk production include basil, carrot seeds and coriander.

For peaceful sleep - the joy of home-grown aromatic herbs is enhanced by the feeling that you can give a fragrant pillow filled with, for example, dried lavender to your friends. You can sew gifts in the form of scented sachets for the wardrobe or car. The fragrances will be eco-friendly, make the car smell pleasant and will be suitable even for children's noses.

Aromatherapy and a pleasant atmosphere are also represented by scented candles or aroma lamps. In today's hectic times, it is increasingly difficult to find time for yourself and body care. The scent of tea tree is wonderful, creating a feeling of calm, helping against colds and boosting immunity. You can also light scented candles during a bath to create a pleasant atmosphere in the bathroom.

Scent your home with herbs. A beautiful decorative still life with a herb (such as mint in an attractive red energy-inducing pot) and a scented candle will create a pleasant and calming atmosphere after a long day.

Author: Hana Michalíková