Essential Oils for Christmas
Many people associate alluring scents with the holidays, from baking with cinnamon or nutmeg to the cedar or spruce smell of Christmas trees. You can create the scents of your choice in your home using essential oils for Christmas.
To use Christmas aromatherapy in your home, you can diffuse any of the following essential oils in an aromatherapy diffuser. You can also use the oils to scent potpourri or place a few drops on a tissue and place in a drawer, cabinet, or closet to scent a small area.
Spiritual Oils
For the religious aspects of Christmas, consider frankincense and myrrh essential oils, two of the gifts from the Three Wisemen to the Christ child. According to Healing Oils Of The Bible, myrrh was used as an antiseptic and placed on the child’s navel to prevent infection from cutting the umbilical cord. The rich, meditative scents of both myrrh and frankincense have made them a part of religious ceremonies for centuries. Diffuse myrrh or frankincense to promote spiritual awareness.
The Scent of Trees
For the earthy, green smell of trees and the outdoors, consider pine, spruce, cedar, or balsam fir essential oil. Enhance the scent of your live Christmas tree by placing a few drops of essential oil in the water of the tree stand. Or make a room air freshener by blending 30 drops of any of the oils in one-half cup distilled water in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use to thoroughly mix the water and oils.
Aromas of Baking
For the spicy aromas of the holidays, look at cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove essential oils. You can even replace the powdered spices in cookies or cakes with the essential oil, as long as you are sure you have a high-quality, food-grade essential oil.
A Fresh Scent
If you are looking for a fresh, clean scent, use a citrus essential oil, such as orange, lemon, or grapefruit.
Peppermint
Peppermint gets it own category. What’s Christmas without peppermint candy canes? If you have had too much too eat, dilute a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a teaspoon of vegetable oil and gently massage your abdomen. Peppermint is known for its beneficial effects on digestion.
Considerations for Using Essential Oils
The quality of available essential oils varies greatly. For best results, look for pure, high-quality essential oils. If you are pregnant or have a serious medical condition, use caution and consult a healthcare provider as appropriate. Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets. For more information about essential oils for Christmas and other times, the book Aromatherapy for Dummies is a great introduction.
Essential oils can be a fun way to add to the holiday season and create your desired atmosphere. Look for creative ways to use them and have fun!