Bath Gel Recipes: Aromatherapy Scent Ideas

If you are wondering how to scent your bath gel recipes with a special aromatherapy effects, you may want to read the following article entitled, Bath Gel Recipes: Aromatherapy Scent Ideas which appears on Essortment.com.

"In aromatherapy selected fragrant substances are used in lotions, shower gels, soaps, and inhalants. They can affect mood and promote good health. Some people like to try the different scents and concoctions all on their own and others rely on a qualified aromatherapy practitioner to do it for them. Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants and are used in flavoring and in perfumes. Scents from essential oils have been known to calm, relieve sore muscles, and help a person to focus when life seems too stressful. They also help to build immune systems, give an extra boost of energy, and help to purify the body of chemical toxins.

Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids and should be treated in the same way that you would treat any medicine. Keep oils away from children at all times. Consult a physician or qualified aromatherapy practitioner if you have health concerns or if you are pregnant or nursing. Use the smallest dose possible until you know how it will affect your body. Never use undiluted essential oils directly on the skin. You should always test a small area of the skin and wait 24 hours to see if there will be any allergic reactions. Never take internally without a prescription. Essential oils are flammable; keep away from heat and flame. The best way to relax after a long, frustrating day at work or a hard day at the gym is to take a hot, steamy bath or shower. You can make your own shower or bath gel using essential oils to relax that stress away.

To make your own shower or bath gel, take 8 ounces of unscented shampoo and combine with 4 ounces of water in a bowl. Stir this until it is mixed well. Add ¾ of a teaspoon of salt and about 40 drops of essential oil. (This dose can be increased or decreased after a 24-hour skin test is performed.) Make sure that this is all mixed very well and there are no pockets of essential oil alone, which can cause skin irritations. Powdered loofah or jojoba beads can be added to the mixture to create an exfoliating scrub. This mixture can be stored in a squeeze bottle to store in the shower or bath area.

Different types of essential oils can be used for different types of skin. For dry skin, use Chamomile, Sandalwood, Carrot, Geranium, or Rose. For greasy skin, use Lavender, Orange, Neroli, Nutmeg, Cypress, Ylang Ylang, or Jasmine. For normal skin, any of the above may be used as well as Juniper berry, Frankincense, and Palma Rosa. If you have sensitive skin you might try Geranium and Lavender.

Different essential oils can also be used to concentrate on a certain part of the body. For eyes, use Lemon, Lavender, Fennel, Chamomile, or Palma Rosa. For hands, use any of the above as well as Geranium, Rose, or Eucalyptus. To relax feet and make them soft, use Rosemary, Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon, or Palma Rosa.

Each essential oil has its own characteristics. For example, Palma Rosa smells like rose and geranium oil and helps to relieve anger. Chamomile is deep blue in color and helps with inflamed or irritated skin. Lime has a sweeter scent than Lemon and is used for oily skin. Many of the essential oils can even be blended together for different effects or scents. Investigate the different uses and have fun trying each kind of essential oil. The quality of essential oils varies from company to company, so do your research and find what is best for you."