Aromatherapy, the practice of using plant-derived essential oils for physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being, focuses on the pure and natural. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy explains that the therapeutic use of aromatherapy has been around for close to 9,000 years. The essential oils used in aromatherapy enter the nose and stimulate the brain, eliciting a response. You can create your own homemade aromatherapy recipes using essential oils found in most health food stores.
Create a lavender spray that can calm your senses and help induce sleep. Pour 1 cup of water into a spray bottle. Add 15 drops of lavender essential oil to the water. Lightly spray your sheets, blankets and pillowcases before turning in for the night.
Stimulate your senses with a morning peppermint bath. Pour 1 tsp. of vegetable oil in a cup. Add two to three drops of peppermint essential oil to the vegetable oil. Stir the oils together with a spoon and add the peppermint mix to a lukewarm bath.
Destress with a chamomile blend massage oil. Mix three drops of lavender essential oil, three drops of tangerine essential oil, three drops of marjoram essential oil and one drop of chamomile essential oil with 1 oz. of vegetable oil. Combine the oils in a small cup and apply the massage oil to tired muscles.
Soothe your lips with the sweet scent of vanilla by making your own vanilla lip balm. Grate 1 tbsp. of beeswax into a glass measuring cup. Puncture one vitamin E caplet and squeeze the contents into the measuring cup. Place a half-full pot of water on the stovetop and set the glass measuring cup in the center of the pot. Heat the pot until the beeswax melts. Immediately remove the pot from the heat once the beeswax melts. Add two drops of vanilla essential oil to the beeswax. Pour the beeswax mix into a lip balm jar or tube. Allow the beeswax mix to cool and solidify prior to use.
