This post is the follow-up to our series on using aromatherapy for psoriasis. To read the introductory post, check out Does Aromatherapy Work on Psoriasis? If you’re already well acquainted with the topic, check out our post on The 6 Best Essential Oils for Psoriasis to get an idea of which oils you should be using with these application methods.
There are four main application methods when it comes to essential oils and psoriasis. Contrary to what all this talk about smell and aromas might suggest, not all of them involve the nose!
MASSAGE is a great method of using essential oils to heal skin conditions, as the oil gets absorbed directly into the skin and penetrates down to the layer of subcutaneous skin, so you can target the problem areas of your psoriasis with pin-point accuracy. As the essential oils are very concentrated, they should be diluted into a carrier oil or massage-base oil beforehand – such as almond, avocado, hazelnut or even olive oil! The recommended ratio is 5 drops of essential oil to every 2 teaspoons of carrier oil.
BATHING is another fantastic way of using essential oils to treat skin. Next time when running a warm bath, add 4-6 drops of essential oil and disperse them with your hand. All you have to is slip inside, close your eyes and enjoy the aromatic water for 10-20 minutes. After the bath, try to moisturize the skin in order to keep your psoriatic patches smooth.
INHALATION is the traditional way of using essential oils. All you have to do is drip a few drops onto a tissue or handkerchief, and inhale the aroma. Alternatively, boil and pour some water into a bowl, dissolve 5 drops of essential oil into it, and inhale the delightful aroma for a few minutes. Make sure to cover your head with a towel in order to catch all the vapors as they evaporate!
VAPORISATION is another method of using essential oils. It is especially affective for creating certain moods in rooms. For example, you can create a relaxed ambiance in your bedroom, and then spend 1/2 an hour there after work to ease any stress, which is known to aggravate psoriasis. An oil-burner is the ideal way of vaporizing essential oils slowly.