Aromatherapy and Breathing

Essential oils are by nature volatile and aromatic. Their compounds find their way into our bodies through our olfactory system which means they love to be inhaled! The aromas of many essential oils are like a breath of fresh air. It's only natural that many of them help us breathe deeply and stay healthy. 

It is, after all, “aroma” therapy, making the aromatic method of application for this modality a fundamental one! Inhaling from the bottle, cupping in your hands, cold air diffusion, steam blends, aromatherapy inhalers, diffuser jewelry are some of the ways we can experience the feeling of deeper breathing using only a few drops of essential oils. Here are some ways I employ them to enjoy an invigorating respiratory experience when I need it.

Try massaging a chest rub made of diluted Cedarwood, Peppermint, Frankincense, 

Cypress, and Helichrysum for sensations of cooling. Plus, just breathing in your favorite aromas is always invigorating and enjoyable.

Rub a diluted mixture of Lemon, Peppermint and Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) onto the throat. Start at the base of the ears and continue with downward strokes along the sides of the neck. Rub from the underside of the chin down both sides of the trachea.

 

Another method I use a lot is the Vitaflex massage for sinuses. Maddie Ohman shares a clear instructional here: Vitaflex for Sinuses. 

Try my shower steamer recipe and level up your shower experience. Customize your shower experience by activating these blank steamers with five drops of your favorite essential oils! Recipe below:

1 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup Citric Acid
Witch Hazel in a spray bottle

Combine baking soda and citric acid in a glass or stainless steel bowl. Using a spray bottle, add the witch hazel slowly and mix with your hands immediately to arrest any fizzing action of the citric acid. Keep doing this until you get the consistency of wet sand.

Once you have the consistency right, pack the mixture in a silicone mold and allow it to harden overnight. Here's my video demonstrating how make a Shower Steamer.

You can pop these steamers out the next day and enjoy a spa-like shower experience. Simply place one shower steamer onto the shower floor or shelf where it gets wet but does not obstruct the main water stream. Breathe in the fragrant steam for a spa-like experience before you start your day. 

Unfortunately, staying in the shower forever isn’t an option (our lives are too busy, plus think about the water conservation!), but not to worry! You can also try these easy steam bowl alternatives: 

Combine 3–12 drops of Lemon, Lavender, Marjoram and Lime oil in a bowl of steaming warm or hot water. Deeply inhale the steam. Remember to take a break if you are overheating!

You could also try these two simple recipe with two of my most reliable breathing oils!  These are things we do regularly to stay healthy.

 

If steaming water is not readily available to you, here’s an even easier method to try. Apply 1–6 drops of Lime, Lemon, Rosemary, or Peppermint essential oil to a tissue or handkerchief or a blank aromatherapy inhaler and inhale occasionally up to three times daily.

Inhalers are handy and convenient. It's one of my favorites for applications that work well by inhalation such as emotional energizers or de-stressors. Here's an easy-to-follow step by step for those who've never activated their own: DIY Aromatherapy Inhalers 

 

Combine 2–8 drops total of any of the following essential oils with an equal amount of liquid soap or shampoo: 

Geranium
Lavender
Lemon
Tea Tree
Thyme

Add the mixture to a warm bath and gently blend it into the water with your hands. Soak in the bath for 10 minutes and enjoy!

I hope this post helps those who need it! Take advantage of these wonderful aromas and the chemical compounds that were meant to be inhaled and help us breathe deeply!

Take care!