Few pleasures in life can rival soaking away the day’s tension in a sauna. Mayans discovered the secret of saunas over 3,000 years ago. You would also find the same in ancient Egypt, Greek, and Chinese cultures. Today, you would be hard-pressed to find a country without a sauna.
Other than relaxation, sweat therapy is also fantastic for cardiovascular health and pain management. We will explore how to use essential oils for sauna aromatherapy below.
How to Choose the Best Essential Oils for Sauna Aromatherapy?
Essential oils are very popular in aromatherapy. You only need to add a few drops to your sauna to get their benefits.
The most common types are eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, citrus, and pine. You can use them to help with muscular pain, clear sinuses, congestion, and cold symptoms management.
- Birch has a minty smell, and its benefits include fungal and bacterial prevention, better circulation, pain reduction, and detoxification.
- Cinnamon has a warm, spicy, and refreshing sensation. It will soothe sore muscles, reduce inflammation, boost your mood, and is an excellent decongestant.
- Cyprus is invigorating. You get better energy, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory, as well as cleansing benefits.
- Eucalyptus is refreshing due to its deodorizing properties. It kills bacteria and germs and aids in respiration.
- Frankincense helps fight colds and other illnesses. It helps build a strong immune system and works well for cancer patients undergoing therapy. Other benefits include anti-aging properties, hormone balancing, and better digestion.
- Lavender is soothing and will help fight headaches and fatigue. It also has healing and anti-aging properties and provides relief for diabetics
- Peppermint is a stimulant resulting in higher energy. It also has antispasmodic properties and helps with nausea.
- Sandalwood will boost your memory and mental clarity. Benefits include antispasmodic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and help lower blood pressure.
- Pine is great for fighting headaches and congestion. Other benefits include pain relief from joint aches, acne treatment, and mood-boosting properties.
- Tea tree helps fight infections and build a strong immune system. It has antiseptic properties that are great for treating athlete’s foot, dandruff, and skin conditions.
You also have other options such as grapefruit, rosemary, bergamot, Clary sage, Cypress, Patchouli, chamomile, and juniper.
Tips on How to Use Essential Oils for Sauna Aromatherapy
When using essential oils, it is important to do the following:
- Know your essential oils before using any. Consider what it is you want out of the aromatherapy. Are you looking for relaxation, pain management, anti-inflammatory, or anti-aging properties? If you do not use the right oil, you will not get the benefits you were hoping for.
- Dilute the essential oils before use; they are very strong and can cause harm if you use them as they are.
- Pour the oil into the water and not on the stones. Due to the oil base, pouring it directly onto the stones can cause a fire.
- The other option is to use the rock trays or sauna water bucket to heat the oil, causing it to evaporate, thus releasing the fragrances.
- Do not apply the essential oils directly onto your skin. You may end up causing skin irritation, so use them correctly as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- When shopping, read the labels. Go for pure oils with no additives; such can cause skin irritation and may be unnecessarily expensive.
- Use your essential oils within 3 years. The older the oils get, the more exposure they have to oxygen, which will spoil them.
- Store your essential oils safely and keep them away from young children.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are essential oils ideal for use in a sauna?
Yes, they are. You have many options, as we have highlighted above. Find the right one and enjoy the benefits they have.
2. Can I mix my essential oils?
Yes, you can; you have the option of using them individually or make a unique blend. Some fantastic combinations include jasmine and lavender for ultimate relaxation.
For an energy boost, blend marjoram and peppermint. For overall health and well-being, combine rosemary and eucalyptus.
3. Why do I need to dilute the Essential Oils?
Some of the essential oils are very strong and may have negative side effects if you use them as they are. Dilute them with some vegetable oil, bath gel, or creams before adding them to your sauna.
Mixing with water will not work due to the oil base. The essential oils will end up sitting on top and will not mix, no matter how much you shake the bottle.
4. Can I use coconut oil in a sauna?
Coconut oil has very many benefits, but it is not ideal for sauna sessions. You can, however, use them before or after on your skin or hair.
5. Which are the best essential oils for an infrared sauna?
You have a wide range of options available regarding essential oils, which you can use in the infrared sauna. Such include tea tree, rosehip, cypress, thyme, and peppermint, to name a few. Any of the ones we have highlighted above will work well.
6. Can I use essential oils if I have damage to my skin?
If you have inflammation or skin damage, avoid using essential oils until you heal. You may cause adverse skin reactions or further exacerbate the skin situation.
If you notice that you react when you use the essential oils, stop immediately.
7. How often can I use essential oils?
Use essential oils in moderation. Frequent usage can result in skin irritation, even if you normally do not react to them. Potent essential oils, such as clove and cinnamon, may have safety implications.
Avoid essential oils totally if you are on blood-thinning medicine or suffer from severe skin irritation.
Do not use tea tree around your pets, because it is toxic to them.
8. Are essential oils safe for use by pregnant women?
Your body will absorb some of the components, and they will find their way to the fetus. You may want to avoid their use until you deliver. Alternatively, ask your doctor before you use essential oils.
Final Thoughts
We have looked at how to use essential oils for sauna aromatherapy above. Know your oils well so that you get maximum benefits out of them.
