Create Your Own Custom-formula Aromatherapy Sprays

Home-made aromatherapy sprays are one of the easiest yet most profound methods of using the aroma-therapeutic aspects of essential oils. They're also a great way to create a natural air-freshener for use in any space, one that will far surpass the aromatic beauty of a store-bought synthetic fragrance. In fact, many folks who find air fresheners distasteful, or may be allergic to them, will find scents made with pure and natural essential oils to be pleasant and satisfying. Further, you can create aromatherapy sprays to suit special health needs for yourself and your family by selecting oils with specific therapeutic effects.

This little project is something you can do alone, or with older children in the family. Getting your loved ones involved will have two important benefits: First, they're likely to let you know which scents appeal to them the most. Often in aromatherapy, it is the scents we are most fond of that can have the strongest supporting effects for emotional health. Second, they're also more likely to use and enjoy the oils they've had a part in making. This not only will give them greater satisfaction with the sprays, but will likely open their eyes and minds a little bit more to the world of natural health and wellness - certainly an area where getting started young can have life-long benefits.

To get started, you'll only need a few simple items: One or more spray bottles - dark blue or amber glass bottles with pump tops are best, as the dark glass is the best container for natural oils and blends. The smaller one and two ounce sizes are also easy for little hands to use. A measuring pipette is useful, or a plastic eye-dropper. While the small glass bottles are relatively durable, small glass eye droppers are not as much - they will do, however, if you deem them safe for everyone involved in making the blends. Next, for the spray base, you can use simply distilled or spring water. If you think you'll be making several bottles at once that might be stored for more than a two months, find some natural Witch Hazel extract to add to your blends as well.

Then of course you'll need some essential oils. There is a huge difference in aromatic quality between oils available today - the finest ones will have very brilliant and alive aromas. They may cost a little more, but you'll be using only drops at a time, and the difference in the scents will have a significant impact on you and your family's enjoyment of your sprays. Oils of marginal quality will often make one smile a little and say 'huh, that smells nice', whereas exceptional oils usually get 'WOW', accompanied by a really big grin. Blends that smell spectacular will certainly get used more, and will likely have greater psychological and emotional therapeutic effects.

While the most of the commonly used essential oils will be very safe in this application, if children will be handling the pure essential oils, safety should be considered. The 'flowery' oils like Lavender and Chamomile are quite safe, as are more exotic scents such as Bulgarian Rose and Indian Sandalwood. Citrus oils and the 'needle' oils from evergreen trees can be sensitizing; direct application to the skin is not recommended - and if you select very pungent oils, particularly Cinnamon , Clove or Peppermint, application to the skin should be avoided altogether, and generally kept away from the younger ones. For everyone's safety, just instruct your formulators to not get any oil on them, and to never spray the mists on their bodies, nor near anyone else's eyes or face. If you have any questions or concerns about a particular oil, there are many resources available on the internet or in books about aromatherapy.

On to making the sprays! Creating aromatherapy sprays is very simple - just fill your bottles up most of the way with water or your Witch Hazel extract and water (1 part Witch Hazel to 4 parts water), then add your essential oils by counting the drops. Put the cap on and shake vigorously for several seconds. The oil and water will naturally tend to separate, somewhat like a salad dressing - shaking a lot when first made to disperse the oils well will help keep the oils and water mixed. You'll then just want to give a couple shakes just before spraying each time. For the simplest formulas, you can use 4 to 16 drops of any single essential oil in each ounce of water. Suggested oils are Lavender, Rose Geranium, Spruce, Pine, Tangerine and Sweet Orange. Always, if using with younger children, use smaller amounts of essential oil.

If you'd like to make something a little more fancy for children and even infants, try two drops each of Lavender and Roman Chamomile in pure water. Both these oils are broadly appealing, and have very soothing effects on children. This recipe might even be used regularly as a sleep aid at night or at nap time.

For a more lively, uplifting aromatic, mix together your favorite citrus scents. Essential oils are pressed from all the citrus fruits - you'll find orange, lemon, lime, tangerine and grapefruit readily available. The aromas mix well together, and it is easy to adjust their ratios to your liking. Mandarin, a member of the tangerine family, has a certain soothing effect unique to this fruit, and again, works particularly well with children.

Perhaps the most effective 'space clearing' scents are those from the needles and twigs of evergreen trees: Pine, Spruce and Balsam Fir. Like the citrus oils, these all blend nicely together; you can try a blend of them with equal amounts of each, and/or vary their amounts to suit your preference. Juniper can be added in small amounts for an extra touch. These oils are also naturally uplifting, yet they bring a sense of calm and 'earthiness' as well.

Whatever oils you choose, you can always mix together very small amounts, counting the drops, until you're sure you like the blend, then add larger amounts to your spray mixture. You can even create a different blend for every room in your home. And by using pure essential oils, you'll be creating natural aromatics that have been used for centuries, with positive emotional, physical and spiritual health benefits for you and your family.