Essential Oils for Teens

Using natural remedies to help you deal with common teen issues.

You have probably heard all the talk about natural remedies but have you ever considered giving them a try? Nature has an answer for almost everything that ails you and the products are easy to use. In fact, many natural products are easier on your body than their laboratory produced counterparts. One of the easiest and nicest ways to give natural remedies a try is using essential oils.

Essential Oils can be used in a variety of ways:

Bath or Shower:
Add 10 - 20 drops of a pure essential oil or a few cap-fulls of a diluted oil (or blend) to a hot bath. Enjoy the smell as the beneficial oils are absorbed by the skin. In the shower, put a few drops of oil on a cloth or sponge and rub all over body paying special attention to trouble spots and stress points.

Compresses:
Add 5 - 10 drops of your an indicated oil (or blend) to a medium bowl of very warm water. Soak a cloth in the bowl. Gently wring the cloth out and apply to the troubled area.

Diffuser:
Use heat to send a scent across a room. In candles, make your own by adding 3 - 5 drops of an essential oil to melted wax while it is in a mold. Let cool and use. Many stores provide ready made aromatherapy candles for $2 - $15. Never put an essential oil on a wick or flame. Use a specially made diffuser (electric or candle powered) and place 5 - 10 drops of an oil blended with water over the heat source as described by the manufacturer. Try a "light bulb ring"; place 10 - 20 drops of an oil (or blend) in the ring and put the ring on a light bulb (no more than 60 watt). As the bulb heats the scent will fill the room. Finally, bring a small pot to a roaring boil. Add 5 - 10 drops of essential oil and remove from heat. Let the steam carry the scent.

Inhalant:
Place 1 - 2 drops on a dry cloth or handkerchief and place over nose; inhale deeply. Use as an addition to an electric facial steamer as recommended by the manufacturer. Fill a sink with hot water and add 3 - 5 drops of oil. Lean over the sink and place a towel across your head and shoulders to keep in the vapours; inhale deeply. Inhale oils directly from vial.

Massage:
Add 15 - 30 drops of an essential oil (choose one oil or combine several, but do not use more than 30 drops) per 30 ml (1 oz) of the carrier oil of your choice. Carrier oils dilute the essential oils so that they can be applied to your skin. Many pure essential oils will irritate your skin and must be mixed with a carrier oil if they are to be applied topically. Ask your aromatherapy specialist if you have any questions about a specific oil. Some common carrier oils are; grapeseed oil, almond oil, canola oil, mineral oil, and olive oil.

Personal Care:
Hair care; add 8 - 10 drops of an essential oil for every 30 ml (1 oz) of hair care product. Choose an unscented or very lightly scented product. Essential oils can be used as fragrance and/or remedies to problems like dandruff and oily scalp. Skin care; add 10 drops (alone or in combination) of essential oil(s) to 30 ml (1 oz) skin care cream, lotion or non-alcoholic toner. Again, choose an unscented or very lightly scented product. Some oils can be applied to the skin full strength and some oils come specially blended for use in skin care, ask your aromatherapy specialist.

Personal Fragrance:
Mix the essential oil (or oils) of your choice with a carrier oil or unscented body mist at a ratio of 5 drops of oil per tablespoon of product. Create a truly original signature scent!



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