Bath Salts:

• Do not use bath salts in extremely hot water.  This can help raise your blood pressure.  Use in warm bath water and enjoy the effects of the salts.
• Sea salt detoxifies the body and conditions the water and the skin.
• The combination of essential oils and sea salt is useful for exfoliating dead skin cells on the body.

Candles:

• Do not leave burning candles unattended, or leave children unattended around burning candles. 

Soap:

• Try not to leave your soap sitting in dishes where water has or can accumulate.  This will cause you to  waste your soap unnecessarily.  Use a soap dish which allows the water to drain.

Baths:

• An aromatic bath is a wonderful way to enjoy the therapeutic properties of essential oils.  Great benefit can be derived from the oil or blend of oils which penetrates the skin while you are relaxing and breathing in the vapours.
• Essential oils should be added to a bath just before you enter the tub.  If added to the water while the tub is filling, much of the oils precious essences goes up in steam and very little is left to be absorbed by the skin.
• Better to dilute essential oils in a carrier oil base before adding to your bath.  If you don't add oils to a carrier oil base, then be sure to mix oils into the water well.  It is very important to avoid direct skin contact with undiluted essential oils.
• Remember less is best.
• Essential oils mixed in an oily base before being added to a bath may make the tub surface slippery.  Watch your step.

Foot Bath:

• This is a wonderful way to relax and refresh tired, sore feet and at the same time stimulate other parts of the body.
• Foot baths are especially helpful in treating tired, aching feet, cases of ingrown nails, foot fungus problems such as athelete's foot or ringworm, injuries and sprains.
• Foot blends should be added to 2 gallons of warm water and mixed well. A cup of epsom or sea salts can be a nice addition to the foot baths.

Steam Bath & Sauna:

• One of the main purposes of a suana or steambath is to help eliminate fluids and toxins from the body.  At the onset of a cold, a blend of orange essential oil with any of the spice oils can be very beneficial in a bath.

Essential Oils:

• Do not take essential oils internally except under the direction of a qualified aromatherapist.
• Consult your physician before using essential oils, especially if you have high or low blood pressure, epilepsy, cancer, neural disorders or kidney or liver disease.
• Essential oils are very concentrated, use with extreme care
• Certain essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy.  Such oils include Basil, Clary Sage, Juniper, Rosemary, Marjoram, Fennel, Clove, Cypress, Peppermint, Cedarwood, Lemongrass, Lavender.
• Avoid exposure to the sun when using the following oils:  Bergamot, Lemon, Sweet Orange, all citrus oils.  These oils may increase the skins sensitivity to the sun.  The citrus oils can also increase the skin pigmentation in some people.  If not properly blended and applied evenly, darkening and skin irritation could result.
• Do not use essential oils on mucous membranes.  Never use essential oils too near the eyes. Keep hands away from the face, genitals, mucous membranes when they have been in contact with oils.
• Always dilute essential oils to be used topically in a carrier oil. (at least 2- 3% in a base carrier oil)
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not use near eyes or other sensitive areas.
• Patch test for sensitivity.  If irritation develops, discontinue use immediately
• Avoid contact with plastic, varnished or painted surfaces.
• Essential oils are volitile, and should be stored in colored glass bottles, in a cool area.
• Essential oils are very sensitive to light and heat and evaporate when exposed to air. Insure the bottle caps are tightly twisted closed.
• Always use recommended dosage for Essential oils.  Some oils, when too much is used, will have the opposite effect that you are trying to achieve and will build up toxicity with the body.
• People react adversely to all kinds of materials, including the most natural.
• Due to their inherent properties, essential oils penetrate the skin and diffuse into the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic system.
• Never keep essential oils in plastic containers because they are highly concetrated.  They can penetrate the plastic and become contaminated.
• Pure essential oils are extracted directly from dfferent parts of plants.
• Always wash your hands before and after working with oils.
• Do not use essential oils on infants without proper supervision and direction from a physician or an aromatherapist.
• Use extreme caution using essential oils during the first trimester of pregnancy.  Many oils can stimulate the uterus.

Creams:

• The first known facial cream was created in Ad 150 by Galen, a Greek physician.  It was a combination of melted beeswax, olive oil and rosewater.

Facial Mask:

• Effective for all skin types, facial masks are especially beneficial for oily skin as they can deep-cleanse, removing impurities from the skin while replenishing the natural oils and moisture.
• Prior to using a facial mask, especially for oily skin, it may help to steam the face, this will unclog pores in preparation for the deep-cleansing effect of the mask.

Beauty Treatments:

• Aromatherapy can work in two ways to help improve a lustraless appearance.
• The physical properties of essential oils used in creams, facials and toners can help to correct imbalances in the skin, such as excessive dryness or oiliness, acne, psoriasis and other imperfections or blemishes.
• The psychological powers of aromatherapy can help to ease tension and combat stress, which is often the root cause of minor skin disorders.
• Toner:  A toner is used to stimulate the local blood supply, which will in turn bring moisture to the skin.  It also acts as a moiturizer in its own right.  It is often used after cleansing the skin to remove the last traces of residue such as dead skin cells, grime and make-up.

Health Treatments:

• There may be circumstances when aromatherapy can provide a refreshing alternative to medication.  Not only will the use of an appropriate oil in a steam bath, compress, inhalation or gargle get to work on the ailment immediately, but the pleasant aroma encountered simultaneously can have an uplifting effect, increasing your ability to fight infection.
• You do not have to be ill to visit an aromatherapist.  an aromatherapy treatment is a wonderful way of relieving tension and stress in the body, which so easily builds up as a result of our busy lifestyles.

Compresses:

• Depending on the circumstances either cold or warm compresses may be used.  Cold compresses are used to relieve pain, particularly as a result of an injury or wound, as well as to reduce swelling or fever.  Hot compresses can help improve circulation, open the pores and reduce pain resulting from internal conditions such as cramps, arthritis and gout.

Inhalation:

• Inhalations can be very effective as decongestants.

Gargle:

• Gargles are effective for sore throats, strengthening gums and generally as an effective mouthwash.

Massage:

• If you are planning to apply the essential oils directly to the skin by using a massage blend, it may be a good idea to pre-test the blend on a small area of skin beforehand.   It is also best to start with the gentle oils, such as chamomile, lavender, neroli, mandarin and rose.
• Massage is one of the oldest forms of treatment; the word itself is French and comes from the Greek 'Masseir' meaning 'to knead'.
• The basic principle of massage is to stimulate all of the organs of the body, as well as the circulation of the blood and lymph, thereby helping to clear toxic build-up and blockages in the body.

Carrier Oils:

• Carrier oils are pure unrefined vegetable oils which complement the use of essential oils in massage and skin care by diluting them so that they can be applied directly onto the skin.  Essential oils on their own are too concentrated to use undiluted on the skin with the exception of Lavender oil.
• Vegetable oils for this purpose should be free of synthetic additives and impurities.  Mineral oils should not be used as carrier oils becuase they do not penetrate the skin and so inhibit the action of essential oils.
• Carrier oils facilitate the penetration of essential oils into the body.  They are rich in natural fatty acids and can contain a number of vitamins including A and E which help keep the skin supple, regenerated and nourished.  The nut oils generally contain potassium and magnesium while sesame seeds are a source of calcium.