Essential Oil Aromatherapy is a great tool to use in improving your health and wellness. Let's get you on the right track!<!--more-->
<h2><strong>Essential Oils? Aromatherapy? <em>Huh?</em></strong></h2>
If you're going to become a <em>boss</em> at making use of Essential Oils <em>in general</em> (not just with aromatherapy) then you've got to learn all about them! Not long ago I did a podcast with some of the fine folks at NOW Solutions, and we talked ALL about Essential Oils (EO's for short). As a good starting point, I suggest you <a href="http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/09/essential-oils-101-need-know.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out the show notes here</a> and listen to the episode <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/53-essential-oils-101-what-you-need-to-know/id1185769801?i=1000391736822&amp;mt=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(So THIS Is Fitness podcast #53)</a>. Why NOW Solutions? Well, the short version is I REALLY like their products and think they do business right. For the longer version... check out <a href="http://sothisisfitness.com/2017/05/i-found-another-unicorn-now-foods.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"I Found Another Unicorn"</a> - a post on this blog.

<strong>The short version - </strong>Essential Oils are very concentrated <em>volatile</em> aromatic compounds. They take things like tangerines, clove, pennyroyal, etc (all kinds of fruits, flowers, herbs, really) and distill them down into this kind of liquid. The liquid is <em>volatile</em>, meaning it very easily evaporates at room temperature. That's why it's so aromatic (smelly)! It's also why it's an <em>excellent </em>thing to use for aromatherapy.

<strong>What is "aromatheraphy"?</strong> As defined in the dictionary, aromatherapy is<strong> "</strong>inhalation or bodily application (as by massage) of fragrant essential oils (as from flowers and fruits) for therapeutic purposes". The dictionary also gives a broader definition -<b> "</b><span class="sdsense"><span class="dt ">the use of <a class="mw_t_a_link" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aroma">aroma</a> to enhance a feeling of well-being". </span></span>
<h2>Does aromatherapy work?</h2>
The question of aromatherapy's efficacy is pretty controversial, honestly. Many people say it's total bunk, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromatherapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wikipedia's aromatherapy page</a> actually lists its benefits as "placebo". Many others, however, would tell you that aromatherapy is <em>very </em>effective and useful for a number of things. Aromatherapy can be used for mood enhancement, improving general well-being, and some even say you can use it for legitimate health reasons (though the FDA might disagree with you there). In its simplest application... aromatherapy can be used to simply make a room smell great, which in and of itself can have mood-boosting benefits! If you know anything about me, you know I'm really big on the power of attitude, mindset, and thought- so of course, I'm a big believer in aromatherapy. I think if you try it, give it time, and are <em>open to it</em>, aromatherapy can work for YOU, too.
<h2><strong>So how do I <em>do </em>aromatherapy?</strong></h2>
Essential Oil Aromatherapy is actually pretty simple! All you need to get started is an essential oil diffuser... and some essential oils! It's as simple as 1, 2, 3:
<ol>
 	<li>Add water to your diffuser.</li>
 	<li>Choose an essential oil and add some drops into the water.</li>
 	<li>Turn it on and enjoy!</li>
</ol>
YES, it really is that simple! I'm sure, though, that there's a very important question you have -
<h3><strong>How much water and essential oil do I actually add?</strong></h3>
Great question! Normally I would tell you to read the manual that came with your diffuser. Your diffuser will tell you how much water to add, or will have a "max fill" line on it - boom, you're all set! For water level, anyway.

As far as how many drops of essential oil to add, I would say follow your diffuser's instructions, but this can be a bit trickier to figure out. Different companies, even different models from the same company, might tell you to add different ratios of oil to water. I'll simplify this for you. My favorite diffuser, the NOW Solutions Ultrasonic Metal Touch Oil Diffuser, holds 5.75 oz. of water. I usually put 20 - 25 drops of essential oil into that. That said, I'm using my diffuser in a very large space. My best advice is to start with about 10 - 15 drops and give the diffuser a little bit of time to do its thing. Take note of the room - do you smell the essential oil? If not, maybe turn it off, add 5 more drops, and give it a little while again. Don't go too crazy - yes, you should smell it, but it's not meant to be overwhelming.
<h2><strong>What variety of essential oil should I use? </strong></h2>
Different essential oils and different <em>blends </em>of essential oils can be used for many different purposes. Some can be energizing, like many citrus oils. Others can be relaxing - lavender is a great example of that. Certain essential oils, like jasmine or rose, can evoke a feeling of romance, and others still can help to balance you, ground you, help you focus, or just help to freshen up a room. My best advice is to <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/53-essential-oils-101-what-you-need-to-know/id1185769801?i=1000391736822&amp;mt=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listen to that podcast episode</a> and maybe pick up the book NOW Solutions put out about essential oils - <a href="http://amzn.to/2DoFWR6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aromatherapy For Everyone</a>.
<h2><strong>Where do I get diffusers and essential oils?</strong></h2>
My favorites diffusers AND essential oils all come from NOW Solutions ("why?", you ask? <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/53-essential-oils-101-what-you-need-to-know/id1185769801?i=1000391736822&amp;mt=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Listen to that podcast episode!</a>). You can find them both on Amazon and on NOW Solutions' website! I've also linked several below to make things easy for you.