Ignite your senses, enliven your body

A pleasant whiff fills the room as soon as a tiny bottle of an essential oil is uncorked. The fragrance calms the mind and makes the mood pleasant.

Used in various purposes, these oils or plant extracts can be categorised according to their aroma compound contents.

Available in innumerable variations, each essential oil has a specific usage. Just a drop or two of a lemon essential oil if rubbed on an oily skin, will slow down the production of oil in that area. Similarly, lavender essential oil is a great moisturiser.

“One can rub it onto dry skin and watch as that area becomes (and stays) moisturised. It’s also an effective scar reducer – just rub it onto the effected area once or twice a day regularly, and you’ll start to see an improvement,” says Tisha Kapur Khurana, beauty expert at Bottega di Lungavita adding that chamomile essential oil when added to warm bath water, will rid you of insomnia.

Women can also add a few drops of rose otto essential oils to a carrier oil and massage it on the neck and shoulders to ease pain.

Carrier oil, also known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin in massage and aromatherapy. They are so named because they carry the essential oil onto the skin.

If impressed by the variety in which these oils are available, and you want to use them but feel handicapped, in the absence of an oil burner, then worry not. Essential oils can be used as a quick and easy natural air freshener. “Boil water in a glass bowl and place it in the area you want to perfume. Add 1-9 drops of the essential oil of your choice to this water and in a few seconds the entire area will be filled with a wonderful scent,” directs Tisha.

When vacuuming the house dip cotton balls in essential oil of your choice and put them in the vacuum bag. This will fill the entire room with aromatherapy scents.

Tisha also suggests putting “one to two drops of essential oil on the light bulbs when not in use. When the light is turned on, heat from the bulb will warm the oil and add a nice fragrance to the room.”

However, one must be aware of the precautions that should be kept in mind while using  essential oils. Experts warn that essential oils should never be used internally without consulting a medical practitioner. These oils should never be used in cooking or baking as they are volatile and may ignite if exposed to a high temperature or flame.

Essential oils should be blended with a carrier oil first, such as sweet almond oil, jojoba or olive oil before being applied on the skin. Also, some essential oils should be avoided altogether since they may be detrimental to those suffering with asthma, heart disease, liver disease or epilepsy. Hence a thorough research before using essential oils will always be helpful.