Essential oils - A guide to DIY aroma care

If you don't feel physically or mentally fit, individually tailored aromatherapy with essential oils can be beneficial. This should be carried out by a specialist. One such expert is the naturopath and qualified aromatherapist Marlise Schmid. She offers individual advice at the Fussatlas naturopathy practice in Oberweningen ZH and works as one of several naturopaths at the Nature First Therapy Center in Zurich.

But you can also treat yourself at home using natural essential oils as a supplement to your medicine cabinet, as Schmid explains in an interview with Vayamo. This is then not referred to as aromatherapy, but rather as aroma care, which can be used by anyone. It is important to only use natural products: “Synthetic oils must not be used because they can trigger allergies and have no effect on the body,” says the naturopath. Carrier oils, such as almond, sunflower, rapeseed or jojoba oil, should be cold-pressed and, if possible, organic.

How exactly does aroma care work?

Essential oils have a holistic effect on people, as Schmid explains. Both in aroma care and in professional aromatherapy, people are viewed holistically on all levels of body, mind and soul.

According to the expert, the active ingredients of the fragrant oils are carried through the nose into the limbic system, which is an ancient part of the brain in which many memories are stored and feelings arise. Our mood, our drive, breathing, circulation, digestion and reproduction are unconsciously controlled from there, which scents can influence.

Due to their fat-soluble properties and high diffusivity, essential oils are easily absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes into the blood and distributed throughout the entire organism. “After an aroma massage, the essential oils can be detected in the blood and exhaled air within 20 to 60 minutes,” says the aromatherapist.

Diverse forms of application

“Essential oils are used for aroma massages, rubs, compresses, wraps, baths or partial baths, in body oils or rollons, for scent applications in a diffuser, handkerchief or smelling stick and can be easily used at home,” says Schmid. With the help of such applications, you have it in your own hands to increase your self-healing powers, strengthen your immune system and promote well-being.

Not every essence is suitable for everyone

Care must be taken when using essential oils on infants and small children. Only small doses can be used and not all essences are suitable, warns Schmid. “Epileptics, people suffering from COPD (chronic respiratory diseases) or those suffering from high blood pressure, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, are also not allowed to use certain fragrances.” The expert cites peppermint, eucalyptus radiata, fennel, rosemary verbenone, thyme thymol, clove buds and cinnamon as examples. In these cases, you should seek personal advice from a specialist.

If you have essential oils at home, they should be tightly closed, protected from light and stored at medium room temperature. This slows down the oxidation process. Basically, according to Schmid, essential oils have a very long shelf life if stored correctly, but citrus oils only last one to two years.

Treatment options with essential oils

Essential oils can help with, among other things, respiratory problems, coughs and colds, muscle tension, problems related to the cycle or menopausal symptoms, digestive or sleep problems as well as psychological problems, says the aromatherapist. There are also appropriate scents to promote blood circulation, relieve pain, relax or act as an aphrodisiac. “Many essential oils also contain antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties,” says Schmid. And some would stimulate the repair mechanism of skin cells through antioxidant properties.

Another tip from the expert is to supplement your meals with garden herbs: “The essential oils of medicinal plants such as basil, oregano, dill, chives, marjoram, parsley or coriander naturally stimulate digestion and self-healing powers.”

5 recipes for aroma care at home

Against respiratory problems

Various essential oils are suitable such as...

• … Zitrone
• … süsse Orange
• … Cajeput
• … Zirbelkiefer
• … Latschenkiefer
• … Weisstanne

To use, two to three drops of one or more essences are mixed and placed in an aroma diffuser or alternatively in a fragrance lamp. “This clears the air, has a disinfecting and relaxing effect,” says Schmid.

Chest oil for cold

Five to ten milliliters of almond or sunflower oil serves as a carrier oil and should be warmed and mixed with one of the following essential oils:

• Thymian linalool
• Eukalyptus globulus
• Cajeput

One to two drops can be mixed into the carrier oils for children aged five and over, and three to six drops for adults, depending on their physical condition. You should then rub the mixture into the chest area and upper back. Breathing in and out well in rhythm increases the effect. The breast oil works particularly well if you use it in the evening and lie down in bed with a hot water bottle on your breast after rubbing it in. “It has a wonderfully relaxing, expectorant effect and helps with coughs and colds,” says the expert.

Massage oil for digestive problems

Up to ten milliliters of warm rapeseed oil are mixed with one or more of the following essential oils:

• Majoran
• Kümmel
• Anis
• Mandarine

For children aged five and over use one to two drops of essential oil, for adults up to four drops. The stomach is massaged in a clockwise direction with the oil mixture. You should breathe into your stomach. Then put on a hot water bottle and relax for half an hour.

Relaxation bath

For a relaxing full bath, ten to 20 grams of sea salt, honey or coffee cream are mixed well with a maximum of eight drops of any essential oil and added to the bath water after running in. For example, the following have a relaxing and refreshing effect:

• Rose
• Lavendel
• Palmarosa
• Rosengeranie

Schmid says: “The bath has a balancing effect and helps with sleep disorders, anger or melancholy.”

Sleep aid for children

«Children love scents. A typical children's scent is mandarin," says the expert. Put one or two drops of it on a napkin and put it in your bed to help you fall asleep.