Direct Inhalation of Essential Oils in Aromatherapy
A simple, effective method for obtaining the benefits of aromatherapy
Direct inhalation is a very simple and effective way to enjoy the many benefits afforded by the fragrance of therapeutic-grade essential oils. Whether used alone, or with other application methods, direct inhalation of aromatics can have a really powerful effect on your body systems — physically, emotionally and mentally.
How to do direct inhalation
Direct inhalation is very simple to do:
- Place a few drops of an appropriate essential oil or blend in the palm of one hand.
- Rub your hands together.
- Cup your hands over your face, making sure to not get any of the oil in your eyes.
- Inhale deeply three to five times.
That’s all there is to it, if you don’t count what the fragrance is doing in your system. (That is simply too awesome to get into here.)
It’s always best to do direct inhalation of essential oils when you’re able to take a break from the pressures of the day. Just sit back and relax, quiet your heart and mind, and find a more centered place from which to enjoy the oils. But then, sometimes the oils are the perfect way to get to that place. The point is: It’s part of a holistic approach to your well-being. It doesn’t exist in isolation from real life.
Alternative approaches to direct inhalation
Of course, if you’re in a hurry and can’t take that break, there are quicker ways to enjoy some of the benefits of direct inhalation.
- You can just take the cap off a bottle of the oil and take a few quick whiffs directly from the bottle.
- You can take a drop of the oil and place it under your nose. That way, you get some of the benefits of direct inhalation for possibly an hour or more — but in a less-concentrated way.